Melanocortin receptor ligands

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to compounds which comprise a nitrogen-containing ring scaffold substituted by an R 1  alkyl units selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 12  linear or branched alkyl, C 3 -C 8  cyclic alkyl, C 2 -C 12  linear or branched alkenyl, or haloalkyl, for example, the 2-keto-3-alkylpiperazines having the formula:  
                 
 
wherein R is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3,5-difluorophenyl, and 4-chlorophenyl; R 1  is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopentyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexylmethyl, benzyl, allyl, 1-methylallyl, 2-methylallyl, but-2-enyl, and propargyll; R 7a  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —CO 2 H, —CONH 2 , —CONHCH 3 , and —CON(CH 3 ) 2 ; R 8  is benzyl, substituted benzyl, or naphthalen-2-ylmethyl.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional application of application Ser. No. 10/689,022 filed Oct. 20, 2003 which claims priority under Title 35, United States Code 119(e) from Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/420,578, filed Oct. 23, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to melanocortin (MC) receptor ligands that have a 4-substituted nitrogen atom-containing ring, which provides for enhanced activity. These ligands preferably exhibit selectivity for the MC-3 and/or MC-4 receptors relative to the other melanocortin receptors (in particular the MC-1 receptor) and are suitable for use in pharmaceutical compositions and in treatment methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Melanocortin peptides (melanocortins) are natural peptide hormones in animals and man that bind to and stimulate MC receptors. Examples of melanocortins are α-MSH (melanocyte stimulating hormone), β-MSH, γ-MSH, ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) and their peptide fragments. MSH is mainly known for its ability to regulate peripheral pigmentation, whereas ACTH is known to induce steroidoneogenesis. The melanocortin peptides also mediate a number of other physiological effects. They are reported to affect motivation, learning, memory, behavior, inflammation, body temperature, pain perception, blood pressure, heart rate, vascular tone, natriuresis, brain blood flow, nerve growth and repair, placental development, aldosterone synthesis and release, thyroxin release, spermatogenesis, ovarian weight, prolactin and FSH secretion, uterine bleeding in women, sebum and pheromone secretion, sexual activity, penile erection, blood glucose levels, intrauterine fetal growth, food motivated behavior, as well as other events related to parturition.

Both the MC-4 and MC-3 receptors have been localized to the hypothalamus, a region of the brain believed to be involved in the modulation of feeding behavior. Compounds showing selectivity for the MC-3/MC-4 receptors have been shown to alter food intake following intracerebroventricular and peripheral injection in rodents. Specifically, agonists have been shown to reduce feeding, while antagonists have been shown to increase feeding. The role of the MC-4 and MC-3 receptors have been defined in the control of body weight regulation in mammals. It is believed that the MC-3 receptor influences feed efficiency and the partitioning of fuel stores into fat, whereas the MC-4 receptor regulates food intake and possibly energy expenditure. Thus, these receptor subtypes appear to reduce body weight through distinct and complementary pathways. Therefore compounds that stimulate both the MC-3 and MC-4 receptors may have a greater weight loss effect than those that are selective for either the MC-3 or MC-4 receptor.

Body weight disorders such as obesity, anorexia and cachexia are widely recognized as significant public health issues and there is a need for compounds and pharmaceutical compositions which can treat these disorders.

The Applicants have discovered a class of compounds that surprisingly have high affinity for the MC-4 and/or the MC-3 receptor subtypes, and that are typically selective for these MC receptors relative to the other melanocortin receptor subtypes, particularly the MC-1 subtype.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compounds which comprise an alkyl substituted heterocyclic ring. The compounds, including all enantiomeric and diastereomeric forms and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, have the formula:

wherein L represents a linking unit each of which is independently selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   a) —(R²)_(p)(CH═CH)_(q)—;     -   b) —(R²)_(y)(X)_(z)C(Y)_(w)(X)_(z)(R²)_(y)—;     -   c) —(R²)_(y)(X)_(z)S(Y)_(k)(X)_(z)(R²)_(y)—;     -   d) —(R²)_(y)(Z)_(m)NR⁴(Z)_(m)(R²)_(y)—;     -   e) —(R²)_(y)(O)_(z)P(T)_(k)(O)_(z)(R²)_(y)—;         wherein T is ═O, —OR⁴, and mixtures thereof; wherein X is —O—,         —S—, —NR⁴—; Y is ═O, ═S, ═NR⁴, —R⁴, and mixtures thereof; Z is         ═N—, —NR⁴—, and mixtures thereof; the index k is from 0 to 2;         the index m is 0 or 1; the index p is from 0 to 12; the index q         is from 0 to 3; the index w is from 0 to 2; the index y is 0 or         1; the index z is 0 or 1;         each R² is independently a substituted or unsubstituted         methylene unit represented by the formula:         wherein R^(3a) and R^(3b) are each independently selected from         the group consisting of:     -   i) hydrogen;     -   ii) C₁-C₁₂ hydrocarbyl selected from the group consisting of:         -   a) C₁-C₁₂ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted             alkyl;         -   b) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl;         -   c) C₂-C₁₂ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted             alkenyl;         -   d) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl;         -   e) C₆-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted aryl;         -   f) C₁-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle;         -   g) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl;         -   h) and mixtures thereof;     -   iii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)COR⁴;     -   iv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)COOR⁴;     -   v) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)COCH═CH₂;     -   vi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)C(═NR⁴)N(R⁴)₂;     -   vii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CON(R⁴)₂;     -   viii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CONR⁴N(R⁴)₂     -   ix) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CN;     -   x) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CNO;     -   xi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CF₃, —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CCl₃, —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CBr₃;     -   xii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)N(R⁴)₂;     -   xiii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴COR⁴;     -   xiv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴CN;     -   xv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴C(═NR⁴)N(R⁴)₂;     -   xvi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NHN(R⁴)₂;     -   xvii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NHOR⁴;     -   xviii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NCS;     -   xix) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NO₂;     -   xx) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OR⁴;     -   xxi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCN;     -   xxii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCF₃, —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCCl₃,         —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCBr₃;     -   xxiii) F, Cl, Br, I, and mixtures thereof;     -   xxiv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₃M;     -   xxv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OSO₃M;     -   xxvi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SCN;     -   xxvii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₂N(R⁴)₂;     -   xxviii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₂R⁴;     -   xxix) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)P(O)(OR⁴)R⁴;     -   xxx) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)P(O)(OR⁴)₂;     -   xxxi) haloalkyl having the formula —[C(R⁹)₂]_(n)C(R⁹)₃;     -   xxxii) an R^(3a) and an R^(3b) unit from the same carbon atom         can be taken together to form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring         comprising from 3 to 8 atoms;     -   xxxiii) an R^(3a) or R^(3b) unit from a first R² unit can be         taken together with an R^(3a) or R^(3b) unit from a second R²         unit to form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring comprising from         3 to 8 atoms;     -   xxxiv) and mixtures thereof;     -   wherein R⁴ units are the same as defined herein below, and any         two R⁴ units can be taken together to form a substituted or         unsubstituted carbocyclic ring comprising from 3-8 carbon atoms;         R⁹ is R⁴, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and mixtures         thereof; each R¹¹ is hydrogen or R¹⁰; the index n has the value         from 0 to 10.         R⁴ units are hydrocarbyl units each of which is independently         selected from the group consisting of:     -   i) hydrogen;     -   ii) C₁-C₁₂ hydrocarbyl selected from the group consisting of:         -   a) C₁-C₁₂ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted             alkyl;         -   b) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl;         -   c) C₂-C₁₂ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted             alkenyl;         -   d) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl;         -   e) C₆-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted aryl;         -   f) C₁-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle;         -   g) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl;         -   h) and mixtures thereof;     -   iii) any two R⁴ units can be taken together to form a         substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic ring comprising from         3-8 carbon atoms;         R is a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl unit selected         from the group consisting of:     -   a) non-aromatic carbocyclic rings;     -   b) aromatic carbocyclic rings;     -   c) non-aromatic heterocyclic rings;     -   d) aromatic heterocyclic rings;         W is a pendant unit having the formula:         wherein the index r is 0 or 1, and the index x is from 0 to 10;         Q is:     -   a) hydrogen;     -   b) —N(R⁴)₂;     -   c) —OR⁴;     -   d) a unit which comprises a substituted or unsubstituted unit         selected from the group consisting of:         -   i) non-aromatic carbocyclic rings;         -   ii) aromatic carbocyclic rings;         -   iii) non-aromatic heterocyclic rings;         -   iv) aromatic heterocyclic rings;         -   wherein the number of rings is from 1 to 3;             R^(5a) and R^(5b) are each independently selected from the             group consisting of     -   i) hydrogen;     -   ii) C₁-C₁₂ hydrocarbyl selected from the group consisting of:         -   a) C₁-C₁₂ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted             alkyl;         -   b) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl;         -   c) C₂-C₁₂ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted             alkenyl;         -   d) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl;         -   e) C₆-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted aryl;         -   f) C₁-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic;         -   g) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl;         -   h) and mixtures thereof;     -   iii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)COR⁴;     -   iv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)COOR⁴;     -   v) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)COCH═CH₂;     -   vi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)C(═NR⁴)N(R⁴)₂;     -   vii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CON(R⁴)₂;     -   viii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CONR⁴N(R⁴)₂     -   ix) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CN;     -   x) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CNO;     -   xi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CF₃, —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CCl₃, —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CBr₃;     -   xii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)N(R⁴)₂;     -   xiii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴COR⁴;     -   xiv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴CN;     -   xv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴C(═NR⁴)N(R⁴)₂;     -   xvi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NHN(R⁴)₂;     -   xvii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NHOR⁴;     -   xviii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NCS;     -   xix) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NO₂;     -   xx) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OR⁴;     -   xxi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCN;     -   xxii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCF₃, —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCCl₃,         —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCBr₃;     -   xxiii) F, Cl, Br, I, and mixtures thereof;     -   xxiv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₃M;     -   xxv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OSO₃M;     -   xxvi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SCN;     -   xxvii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₂N(R⁴)₂;     -   xxviii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₂R⁴;     -   xxix) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)P(O)(OR⁴)R⁴;     -   xxx) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)P(O)(OR⁴)₂;     -   xxxi) haloalkyl having the formula —[C(R⁹)₂]_(n)C(R⁹)₃;     -   xxxii) R^(5a) and R^(5b) can be taken together to form a         carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring comprising from 3 to 10 atoms;     -   xxxiv) and mixtures thereof;         R⁴ units are the same as defined herein above, and any two R⁴         units can be taken together to form a substituted or         unsubstituted carbocyclic ring comprising from 3-8 carbon atoms;         R¹ is substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₁₂ linear or branched         alkyl, C₃-C₈ cyclic alkyl, C₂-C₁₂ linear or branched alkenyl, or         —[C(R⁹)₂]_(n)C(R⁹)₃; R⁹ is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine,         bromine, iodine, and mixtures thereof; the index n has the value         from 0 to 10 as defined herein above;

A, A¹, and A² are ring components each of which is independently selected from the group consisting of —C(═NR⁶)—, —C(═O)—, —C(═S)—, —C(R⁶)₂—, —C(R⁶)₂C(R⁶)₂—, —CR⁶═, —N═, —NR⁶—, or two A units can be taken together with an adjacent atom or A unit to form a bond having the formula —N═N—, —N—NR⁶—, —CR⁶═N—, —C═N—, and mixtures thereof; the index j is 0 or 1;

R⁶ is hydrogen, R⁴, or the pendant unit W¹ having the formula:

wherein the index r is equal to 0 or 1;

R^(7a) and R^(7b) are each independently selected from the group consisting of

-   -   i) hydrogen;     -   ii) C₁-C₁₂ hydrocarbyl selected from the group consisting of:         -   a) C₁-C₁₂ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted             alkyl;         -   b) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl;         -   c) C₂-C₁₂ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted             alkenyl;         -   d) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl;         -   e) C₆-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted aryl;         -   f) C₁-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic;         -   g) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl;         -   h) and mixtures thereof;     -   iii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)COR⁴;     -   iv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)COOR⁴;     -   v) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)COCH═CH₂;     -   vi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)C(═NR⁴)N(R⁴)₂;     -   vii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CON(R⁴)₂;     -   viii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CONR⁴N(R⁴)₂     -   ix) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CN;     -   x) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CNO;     -   xi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CF₃, —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CCl₃, —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CBr₃;     -   xii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)N(R⁴)₂;     -   xiii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴COR⁴;     -   xiv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴CN;     -   xv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴C(═NR⁴)N(R⁴)₂;     -   xvi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NHN(R⁴)₂;     -   xvii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NHOR⁴;     -   xviii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NCS;     -   xix) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NO₂;     -   xx) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OR⁴;     -   xxi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCN;     -   xxii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCF₃, —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCCl₃,         —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCBr₃;     -   xxiii) F, Cl, Br, I, and mixtures thereof;     -   xxiv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₃M;     -   xxv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OSO₃M;     -   xxvi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SCN;     -   xxvii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₂N(R⁴)₂;     -   xxviii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₂R⁴;     -   xxix) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)P(O)(OR⁴)R⁴;     -   xxx) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)P(O)(OR⁴)₂;     -   xxxi) haloalkyl having the formula —[C(R⁹)₂]_(n)C(R⁹)₃;     -   xxxii) and mixtures thereof;

R⁸ is selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   i) hydrogen;     -   ii) C₃-C₈ non-aromatic carbocyclic rings;     -   iii) C₆-C₁₄ aromatic carbocyclic rings;     -   iv) C₁-C₇ non-aromatic heterocyclic rings;     -   v) C₃-C₁₃ aromatic heterocyclic rings;     -   vi) —C(Y)R⁴;     -   vii) —C(Y)₂R⁴;     -   viii) —C(Y)N(R⁴)₂;     -   ix) —C(Y)NR⁴N(R⁴)₂;     -   x) —CN;     -   xi) —CNO;     -   xii) —[C(R⁹)₂]C(R⁹)₂;     -   xiii) —N(R⁴)₂;     -   xiv) —NR⁴CN;     -   xv) —NR⁴C(Y)R⁴;     -   xvi) —NR⁴C(Y)N(R⁴)₂;     -   xvii) —NHN(R⁴)₂;     -   xviii) —NHOR⁴;     -   xix) —NCS;     -   xx) —NO₂;     -   xxi) —OR⁴;     -   xxii) —OCN;     -   xxiii) —OCF₃, —OCCl₃, —OCBr₃;     -   xxiv) —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, and mixtures thereof;     -   xxv) —SCN;     -   xxvi) —SO₃M;     -   xxvii) —OSO₃M;     -   xxviii) —SO₂N(R⁴)₂;     -   xxix) —SO₂R⁴;     -   xxx) —P(O)M₂;     -   xxxi) —PO₂;     -   xxxii) —P(O)(OM)₂;     -   xxxiii) and mixtures thereof         wherein R⁴ units are the same as defined herein above, and any         two R⁴ units can be taken together to form a substituted or         unsubstituted carbocyclic ring comprising from 3-8 carbon atoms.

These and other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description and the appended claims. All percentages, ratios and proportions herein are by weight, unless otherwise specified. All temperatures are in degrees Celsius (° C.) unless otherwise specified. All documents cited are in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to melanocortin (MC) receptor ligands. The melanocortin (MC) class of peptides mediates a wide range of physiological effects. Synthetic peptides and peptide mimetics, which modulate the interaction of natural MC ligands have varying degrees of selectivity and binding. The present invention is directed to ligands that are selective for the MC4 receptor, or that are selective for both the MC4 and MC3 receptor while minimizing the interaction at the MC1, MC2, and MC5 receptors.

For the purposes of the present invention the term “hydrocarbyl” is defined herein as any organic unit or moiety which is comprised of carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms. Included within the term hydrocarbyl are the heterocycles which are described herein below. Examples of various unsubstituted non-heterocyclic hydrocarbyl units include pentyl, 3-ethyloctanyl, 1,3-dimethylphenyl, cyclohexyl, cis-3-hexyl, 7,7-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]-heptan-1-yl, and naphth-2-yl.

Included within the definition of “hydrocarbyl” are the aromatic (aryl) and non-aromatic carbocyclic rings, non-limiting examples of which include cyclopropyl, cyclobutanyl, cyclopentanyl, cyclohexanyl, cyclohexenyl, cycloheptanyl, bicyclo-[0.1.1]-butanyl, bicyclo-[0.1.2]-pentanyl, bicyclo-[0.1.3]-hexanyl (thujanyl), bicyclo-[0.2.2]-hexanyl, bicyclo-[0.1.4]-heptanyl (caranyl), bicyclo-[2.2.1]-heptanyl (norboranyl), bicyclo-[0.2.4]-octanyl (caryophyllenyl), spiropentanyl, diclyclopentanespiranyl, decalinyl, phenyl, benzyl, naphthyl, indenyl, 2H-indenyl, azulenyl, phenanthryl, anthryl, fluorenyl, acenaphthylenyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalenyl, and the like.

The term “heterocycle” includes both aromatic (heteroaryl) and non-aromatic heterocyclic rings non-limiting examples of which include: pyrrolyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, 3H-pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, 2H-imidazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazoyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 2H-pyranyl, 4H-pyranyl, 2H-pyran-2-one-yl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, piperazinyl, s-triazinyl, 4H-1,2-oxazinyl, 2H-1,3-oxazinyl, 1,4-oxazinyl, morpholinyl, azepinyl, oxepinyl, 4H-1,2-diazepinyl, indenyl 2H-indenyl, benzofuranyl, isobenzofuranyl, indolyl, 3H-indolyl, 1H-indolyl, benzoxazolyl, 2H-1-benzopyranyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, quinazolinyl, 2H-1,4-benzoxazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, quinoxalinyl, furanyl, thiophenyl, benzimidazolyl, and the like each of which can be substituted or unsubstituted.

An example of a unit defined by the term “alkylenearyl” is a benzyl unit having the formula:

whereas an example of a unit defined by the term “alkyleneheteroaryl” is a 2-picolyl unit having the formula:

The terms “arylene” and “heteroarylene” relate to aryl and heteroaryl units which can serve as part of a linking group, for example, units having the formula:

which represent an arylene and heteroarylene unit respectively.

The term “substituted” is used throughout the specification. The term “substituted” is defined herein as “encompassing moieties or units which can replace a hydrogen atom, two hydrogen atoms, or three hydrogen atoms of a hydrocarbyl moiety. Also substituted can include replacement of hydrogen atoms on two adjacent carbons to form a new moiety or unit.” For example, a substituted unit that requires a single hydrogen atom replacement includes halogen, hydroxyl, and the like. A two hydrogen atom replacement includes carbonyl, oximino, and the like. A two hydrogen atom replacement from adjacent carbon atoms includes epoxy, and the like. Three hydrogen replacement includes cyano, and the like. An epoxide unit is an example of a substituted unit which requires replacement of a hydrogen atom on adjacent carbons. The term substituted is used throughout the present specification to indicate that a hydrocarbyl moiety, inter alia, aromatic ring, alkyl chain, can have one or more of the hydrogen atoms replaced by a substituent. When a moiety is described as “substituted” any number of the hydrogen atoms may be replaced. For example, 4-hydroxyphenyl is a “substituted aromatic carbocyclic ring”, (N,N-dimethyl-5-amino)octanyl is a “substituted C₈ alkyl unit, 3-guanidinopropyl is a “substituted C₃ alkyl unit,” and 2-carboxypyridinyl is a “substituted heteroaryl unit.”

The following are non-limiting examples of units, herein after also indicated as R¹⁰, which can serve as a replacement for hydrogen atoms when a hydrocarbyl unit is described as “substituted.” Non-limiting examples of R¹⁰ include:

i) —[C(R⁴)₂]_(p)(CH═CH)_(q)R⁴; wherein p is from 0 to 12; q is from 0 to 12;

ii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)C(X)R⁴;

iii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)C(X)₂R⁴;

iv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)C(X)CH═CH₂;

v) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)C(X)N(R⁴)₂;

vi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)C(X)NR⁴N(R⁴)₂;

vii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CN;

viii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CNO;

ix) —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CBr₃;

x) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)N(R⁴)₂;

xi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴CN;

xii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴C(X)R⁴;

xiii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴C(X)N(R⁴)₂;

xiv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NHN(R⁴)₂;

xv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NHOR⁴;

xvi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NCS;

xvii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NO₂;

xviii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OR⁴;

xix) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCN;

xx) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCF₃, —OCCl₃, —OCBr₃;

xxi) —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, and mixtures thereof;

xxii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SCN;

xxiii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₃M;

xxiv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OSO₃M;

xxv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₂N(R⁴)₂;

xxvi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₂R⁴;

xxvii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)P(O)(OR⁴)R⁴;

xxviii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)P(O)(OR⁴)₂;

xxix) and mixtures thereof;

wherein R⁴ and R¹¹ are defined herein below; M is hydrogen, or a salt forming cation; X is defined herein below. Suitable salt forming cations include, sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, and the like. Non-limiting examples of an alkylenearyl unit include benzyl, 2-phenylethyl, 3-phenylpropyl, 2-phenylpropyl. For the purposes of the present invention the term “substituted” on a chemical formula bearing an R¹⁰ moiety, for example the formula:

will stand equally well for the substitution of one or more hydrogen atoms.

The compounds of the present invention include all enantiomeric and diastereomeric forms and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds having the core scaffold represented by the formula:

wherein L represents a linking unit each of which is independently selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   a) —(R²)_(p)(CH═CH)_(q)—;     -   b) —(R²)_(y)(X)_(n)C(Y)_(w)(X)_(z)(R²)_(y)—;     -   c) —(R²)_(y)(X)_(z)S(Y)_(k)(X)_(z)(R²)_(y)—;     -   d) —(R²)_(y)(Z)_(m)NR⁴(Z)_(m)(R²)_(y)—;     -   e) —(R²)_(y)(O)_(z)P(T)_(k)(O)_(z)(R²)_(y)—;         wherein T is ═O, —OR⁴, and mixtures thereof; wherein X is —O—,         —S—, —NR⁴—; Y is ═O, ═S, ═NR⁴, —R⁴, and mixtures thereof; Z is         ═N—, —NR⁴—, and mixtures thereof; the index k is from 0 to 2;         the index m is 0 or 1; the index p is from 0 to 12; the index q         is from 0 to 3; the index w is from 0 to 2; the index y is 0 or         1; the index z is 0 or 1.

Each R² is independently a substituted or unsubstituted methylene unit represented by the formula:

wherein R^(3a) and R^(3b) are each independently selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   i) hydrogen;     -   ii) C₁-C₁₂ hydrocarbyl selected from the group consisting of:         -   a) C₁-C₁₂ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted             alkyl;         -   b) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl;         -   c) C₂-C₁₂ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted             alkenyl;         -   d) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl;         -   e) C₆-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted aryl;         -   f) C₁-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic;         -   g) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl;         -   h) and mixtures thereof;     -   iii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)COR⁴;     -   iv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)COOR⁴;     -   v) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)COCH═CH₂;     -   vi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)C(═NR⁴)N(R⁴)₂;     -   vii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CON(R⁴)₂;     -   viii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CONR⁴N(R⁴)₂     -   ix) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CN;     -   x) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CNO;     -   xi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CF₃, —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CCl₃, —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CBr₃;     -   xii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)N(R⁴)₂;     -   xiii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴COR⁴;     -   xiv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴CN;     -   xv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴C(═NR⁴)N(R⁴)₂;     -   xvi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NHN(R⁴)₂;     -   xvii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NHOR⁴;     -   xviii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NCS;     -   xix) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NO₂;     -   xx) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OR⁴;     -   xxi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCN;     -   xxii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCF₃, —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCCl₃,         —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCBr₃;     -   xxiii) F, Cl, Br, I, and mixtures thereof;     -   xxiv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₃M;     -   xxv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OSO₃M;     -   xxvi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SCN;     -   xxvii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₂N(R⁴)₂;     -   xxviii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₂R⁴;     -   xxix) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)P(O)(OR⁴)R⁴;     -   xxx) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)P(O)(OR⁴)₂;     -   xxxi) haloalkyl having the formula —[C(R⁹)₂]_(n)C(R⁹)₃;     -   xxxii) an R^(3a) and an R^(3b) unit from the same carbon atom         can be taken together to form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring         comprising from 3 to 8 atoms;     -   xxxiii) an R^(3a) or R^(3b) unit from a first R² unit can be         taken together with an R^(3a) or R^(3b) unit from a second R²         unit to form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring comprising from         3 to 8 atoms;     -   xxxiv) and mixtures thereof;         R⁹ is R⁴, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and mixtures         thereof; each R¹¹ is hydrogen or R¹⁰; the index n has the value         from 0 to 10.

R⁴ units are hydrocarbyl units each of which is independently selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   i) hydrogen;     -   ii) C₁-C₁₂ hydrocarbyl selected from the group consisting of:         -   a) C₁-C₁₂ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted             alkyl;         -   b) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl;         -   c) C₂-C₁₂ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted             alkenyl;         -   d) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl;         -   e) C₆-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted aryl;         -   f) C₁-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic;         -   g) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl;         -   h) and mixtures thereof.

Throughout the present specification whenever two or more R⁴ units comprise a moiety as herein above, any two of said R⁴ units can be taken together to form a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic ring comprising from 3-8 carbon atoms, for example, a unit having the formula: —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)C(═NR⁴)N(R⁴)₂;  vi) can represent a unit having the formula:

or a unit having the formula:

One aspect of the linking units relates to peptide and peptide mimetic linking groups each of which are independently selected from units which are represented by the formula: —(R²)_(y)(X)_(z)C(Y)_(w)(X)_(z)(R²)_(y)— wherein X is —NR⁴—; Y is ═O, ═NR⁴, and mixtures thereof, specific embodiments of which include L units selected from the group consisting of —CH₂NR⁴CH₂—; —NR⁴—; —NR⁴CH₂—; —NR⁴C(O)NR⁴—; —NR⁴C(═NR⁴)NR⁴—.

Non-limiting examples of this aspect include a urea unit having the formula: —NHC(O)NH— an amide unit having the formula: —NHC(O)— or the formula: —NHC(O)R²— wherein R² is C₁-C₄ alkylene; an amine unit having the formula: —NHR²— wherein R² is C₁-C₄ alkylene; and a guanidine unit having the formula: —NHC(═NR⁴)NH— wherein R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isopentyl, benzyl, and mixtures thereof.

A second aspect of the linking groups of the present invention relates to linking units having the formula: —(R²)_(p)(CH═CH)_(q)—;  a) wherein the index q is 0 and the index p is 2 or greater thereby providing linking units having the formula: —[C(R^(3a))(R^(3b))]₂— a first iteration of which relates to linking groups formed when the index p is equal to 2, non-limiting examples of which have the formula:

Another iteration of this aspect of linking units relates to L units which comprise one or more R^(3a) and R^(3b) units which can form a hydrogen bond, non-limiting examples of which include nitrogen atom containing units having the formula:

Another iteration of this aspect of the linking groups relates to R^(3a) and R^(3b) units which comprise a carbonyl unit, non-limiting examples of which include units having the formula:

A further aspect of L relates to sulfonamide linking unit having the formula: —NHSO₂— said unit providing one aspect of W units as defined herein below.

The scaffolds for several of the Categories of melanocortin receptor ligands of the present invention comprise linking units, L, selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   i) —C(O)—;     -   ii) —CH₂—;     -   iii) —NH—;     -   iv) —HNC(O)—;     -   v) —C(O)NH—; and     -   vi) —O—.         For example, melanocortin receptors ligands, which comprise the         first aspect of Category II compounds as described further         herein below, have the formula:         and utilize the linking units —C(O)—; —CH₂—; and —HNC(O)—. The         formulator may select among any of the herein described linking         units to connect or tether the functional units comprising the         compounds of the present invention.

W is a pendant unit having the formula:

wherein the index r is 0 or 1 and the index x is from 0 to 10.

-   -   Q is:     -   a) hydrogen;     -   b) —N(R⁴)₂;     -   c) —OR⁴;     -   d) a unit which comprises a substituted or unsubstituted unit         selected from the group consisting of:         -   i) non-aromatic carbocyclic rings;         -   ii) aromatic carbocyclic rings;         -   iii) non-aromatic heterocyclic rings;         -   iv) aromatic heterocyclic rings;         -   wherein the number of rings is from 1 to 3;

R^(5a) and R^(5b) are each independently selected from the group consisting of

-   -   i) hydrogen;     -   ii) C₁-C₁₂ hydrocarbyl selected from the group consisting of:         -   a) C₁-C₁₂ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted             alkyl;         -   b) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl;         -   c) C₂-C₁₂ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted             alkenyl;         -   d) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl;         -   e) C₆-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted aryl;         -   f) C₁-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic;         -   g) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl;         -   h) and mixtures thereof;     -   iii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)COR⁴;     -   iv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)COOR⁴;     -   v) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)COCH═CH₂;     -   vi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)C(═NR⁴)N(R⁴)₂;     -   vii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CON(R⁴)₂;     -   viii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CONR⁴N(R⁴)₂     -   ix) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CN;     -   x) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CNO;     -   xi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CF₃, —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CCl₃, —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CBr₃;     -   xii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)N(R⁴)₂;     -   xiii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴COR⁴;     -   xiv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴CN;     -   xv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴C(═NR⁴)N(R⁴)₂;     -   xvi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NHN(R⁴)₂;     -   xvii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NHOR⁴;     -   xviii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NCS;     -   xix) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NO₂;     -   xx) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OR⁴;     -   xxi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCN;     -   xxii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCF₃, —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCCl₃,         —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCBr₃;     -   xxiii) F, Cl, Br, I, and mixtures thereof;     -   xxiv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₃M;     -   xxv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OSO₃M;     -   xxvi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SCN;     -   xxvii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₂N(R⁴)₂;     -   xxviii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₂R⁴;     -   xxix) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)P(O)(OR⁴)R⁴;     -   xxx) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)P(O)(OR⁴)₂;     -   xxxi) haloalkyl having the formula —[C(R⁹)₂]_(n)C(R⁹)₃;     -   xxxii) R^(5a) and R^(5b) can be taken together to form a         carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring comprising from 3 to 10 atoms;     -   xxxiv) and mixtures thereof;         R⁹ is R⁴, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and mixtures         thereof; each R¹¹ is hydrogen or R¹⁰; the index n has the value         from 0 to 10.

The first aspect of W comprises units having the formula:

wherein Q is hydrogen. A first iteration of this aspect utilizes the amide and amine linking units for L:

-   -   i) —NHC(O)—;     -   ii) —NHC(O)CH₂—; and     -   iii) —NHCH₂—;         which, when taken together with R^(5a) and R^(5b) units equal to         hydrogen or C₁-C₄ linear or branched hydrocarbyl, provide W         units which comprise alkyl and alkenyl amides and amines.         Non-limiting examples of these alkyl and alkenyl amides and         amines which comprise the first iteration of the first aspect of         W units includes:     -   i) —NHC(O)CH₃;     -   ii) —NHC(O)CH₂CH₃;     -   iii) —NHC(O)(CH₂)₂CH₃;     -   iv) —NHC(O)CH(CH₃)₂;     -   v) —NHC(O)CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃;     -   vi) —NHC(O)CH₂CH(CH₃)₂;     -   vii) —NHC(O)(CH₂)₃CH₃;     -   viii) —NHC(O)CH₂CH═CHCH₃; and     -   xix) —NHC(O)CH₂CH₂CH═CH₂.

A second iteration of this aspect relates to R^(5a) and R^(5b) units said units also include from the definitions of R^(5a) and R^(5b) units above, the units:

-   -   iii) —COR⁴;     -   xii) —N(R⁴)₂; and     -   xx) —OR⁴;         wherein R⁴ is hydrogen and C₁-C₄ alkyl. Non-limiting examples of         this iteration of the first aspect of W units include:     -   i) —NHC(O)CH(NH₂)CH₃;     -   ii) —NHC(O)CH(NHCH₃)CH₃;     -   iii) —NHC(O)CH[N(CH₃)₂]CH₃;     -   iv) —NHC(O)CH₂CH(NH₂)CH₃;     -   v) —NHC(O)CH₂CH(NHCH₃)CH₃;     -   vi) —NHC(O)CH(OH)CH₃;     -   vii) —NHC(O)CH(OCH₃)CH₃;     -   viii) —NHC(O)CH₂CH(OH)CH₃;     -   xix) —NHC(O)CH₂CH(OCH₃)CH₃; and     -   x) —NHC(O)CH₂CH(OH)CH(OH)CH₃.

The second aspect of W comprises units having the formula:

wherein Q is —N(R⁴)₂ and the index x is 1 or 2. A first iteration of this aspect utilizes the amide and amine linking units for L:

-   -   i) —NHC(O)—;     -   ii) —NHC(O)CH₂—; and     -   iii) —NHCH₂—;         which, when taken together with R^(5a) and R^(5b) units equal to         hydrogen or C₁-C₄ linear or branched hydrocarbyl, provide W         units which comprise alkyl and alkenyl amides and amines.         Non-limiting examples of these alkyl and alkenyl amides and         amines which comprise the first iteration of the second aspect         of W units includes:     -   i) —NHC(O)CH₂NH₂;     -   ii) —NHC(O)CH₂NHCH₃;     -   iii) —NHC(O)CH₂N(CH₃)₂;     -   iv) —NHC(O)CH(CH₃)NH₂;     -   v) —NHC(O)C(CH₃)₂NH₂;     -   vi) —NHC(O)CH(CH₃)NHCH₃;     -   vii) —NHC(O)CH(CH₃)N(CH₃)₂; and     -   viii) —NHC(O)C(CH₃)₂N(CH₃)₂—.

A second iteration of this aspect relates to R^(5a) and R^(5b) units said units also include from the definitions of R^(5a) and R^(5b) units above, the units:

-   -   iii) —COR⁴;     -   xii) —N(R⁴)₂; and     -   xx) —OR⁴;         wherein R⁴ is hydrogen and C₁-C₄ alkyl. Non-limiting examples of         this iteration of the second aspect of W units include:     -   i) —NHC(O)CH₂CH(NH₂)₂; (x=2)     -   ii) —NHC(O)CH(CH₃)CH(NH₂)₂; (x=2)     -   iii) —NHC(O)CH(CH₂CH₂OH)CH₂NH₂; (x=2)     -   iv) —NHC(O)CH₂CH(CH₃)NH₂; (x=2)     -   v) —NHC(O)C(CH₃)(CH₂CH₃)NH₂; (x=1) and     -   vi) —NHC(O)C(CH₂CH₃)₂NH₂; (x=1).

The third aspect of W units according to the present invention relates to units having the formula:

wherein Q is —N(R⁴)₂, R⁴ is —[C(R⁹)₂]_(n)C(R⁹)₃; the index n is from 0 to 10; and the index x is 1 or 2. A first iteration of this aspect utilizes the amide and amine linking units for L:

-   -   i) —NHC(O)—;     -   ii) —NHC(O)CH₂—; and     -   iii) —NHCH₂—;         non-limiting examples of this iteration of the third aspect of W         units include:     -   i) —NHC(O)CFH₂;     -   ii) —NHC(O)CF₂H;     -   iii) —NHC(O)CF₃;     -   iv) —NHC(O)CH₂CF₂H;     -   v) —NHC(O)CH₂CF₃; and     -   vi) —NHC(O)CClH₂.

A second iteration of this aspect utilizes the amine linking unit for L:

-   -   i) —NH—;         non-limiting examples of this iteration of the third aspect of W         units include:     -   i) —NHCFH₂;     -   ii) —NHCF₂H; and     -   iii) —NHCF₃.

The fourth aspect of W units according to the present invention relates to units having the formula:

wherein L can comprise any iteration of the linking unit —(X)_(n)C(Y)_(w)(X)_(n)— wherein each X is —NH—; Y is ═O or ═NH; each index z is independently 0 or 1; the index w is 1 or 2; R^(5a) and R^(5b) are each independently:

-   -   i) hydrogen;     -   ii) —COR⁴;     -   iii) —COOR⁴;     -   iv) —N(R⁴)₂;     -   v) —CON(R⁴)₂; or     -   vi) —NHCOR⁴;         and Q units are heterocycles comprising from 4 to 9 carbon         atoms.

The first iteration of Q units according to the third aspect of W units relates to substituted and unsubstituted quinolin-2-yl, quinolin-3-yl, and quinolin-4-yl units having the formula:

The second iteration of Q units according to the third aspect of W units relates to substituted and unsubstituted isoquinolin-1-yl, isoquinolin-3-yl, and 1soquinolin-4-yl units having the formula:

The third iteration of Q units according to the third aspect of W units relates to substituted and unsubstituted [5,6] fused ring systems, inter alia, 1H-indolin-3-yl having the formula:

The fourth iteration of Q units according to the third aspect of W units relates to substituted and unsubstituted, saturated and unsaturated 5-member nitrogen containing rings selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   i) imidazolidines having the formula:     -   ii) pyrrolines having the formula:     -   iii) imidazoles having the formula:     -   iv) imidazolines having the formula:     -   v) pyrazolines having the formula:     -   vi) 1H-[1,2,4]triazoles having the formula:         wherein any of the above Q units can optionally be bonded         through or substituted at a nitrogen atom.

The fifth iteration of the fourth aspect of Q units relates to heterocycles which comprise more than one type of heteroatom or which are saturated ring, non-limiting examples of which include, morpholine, piperazine, pyrrolidine, dioxane, imidazoline, pyrazolidine, piperidine, and the like.

The fifth aspect of W units according to the present invention relates to units having the formula:

wherein L comprises linking units having the formula: —[C(R³)₂]_(p)(CH═CH)_(q)—; or  a) —(X)_(z)C(Y)_(w)(X)_(z)—;  b) wherein each X is —NH—; Y is ═O or ═NH; the index p is from 0 to 12; the index q is 0 or 1; each index z is independently 0 or 1; the index w is 1 or 2; R^(5a) and R^(5b) are each independently:

-   -   i) hydrogen;     -   ii) —COR⁴;     -   iii) —COOR⁴;     -   iv) —N(R⁴)₂;     -   v) —CON(R⁴)₂; or     -   vi) —NHCOR⁴;         and Q units are substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic or         substituted or unsubstituted aryl units comprising from 4 to 12         carbon atoms.

The first iteration of this aspect relates to W units having the formula:

wherein R¹⁰ comprises one or more substitutions for hydrogen, said substitutions selected from the group consisting of fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, hydroxyl, methyl, trifluoromethyl, and methoxy. Non-limiting examples of W units which comprise this first iteration of the fifth aspect of W units include, 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-acrylamido, 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-acrylamido, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-acrylamido, and the like. This aspect also includes the unsubstituted example, 3-phenyl-acrylamido.

The second iteration of this aspect relates to W units having the formula:

wherein R¹⁰ comprises one or more substitutions for hyrdrogen, said substitutions selected from the group consisting of fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, hydroxyl, methyl, trifluoromethyl, and methoxy. Non-limiting examples of W units which comprise this first iteration of the fifth aspect of W units include, 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionamido, 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionamido, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-propionamido, and the like. This aspect also includes the unsubstituted example, 3-phenyl-propionamido.

The sixth aspect of W units according to the present invention relates to units having the formula:

wherein L can comprise any iteration of the linking unit —(X)_(n)C(Y)_(w)(X)_(n)— wherein each X is —NH—; Y is ═O or ═NH; each index z is independently 0 or 1; the index w is 1 or 2; R^(5a) and R^(5b) are each independently:

-   -   i) hydrogen; or     -   ii) C₁-C₁₀ substiuted or unsubstitued, linear, branched or         cyclic hydrocarbyl;         and Q units are heterocycles comprising from 4 to 9 carbon atoms         as described for the fourth aspect of Q.

The eighth aspect of W units comprises units having the formula:

wherein R^(5a) and R^(5b) are taken together to form a ring selected from the group consisting of cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, and cyclohexyl.

A first iteration of this aspect relates to units wherein Q is —NH₂ non-limiting examples of which include W units having the formula:

which are further exemplified herein below.

The ninth aspect of W units comprises sulfonamide linking units, said W units having the formula:

R is a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl unit selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   a) non-aromatic carbocyclic rings;     -   b) aromatic carbocyclic rings;     -   c) non-aromatic heterocyclic rings;     -   d) aromatic heterocyclic rings;         wherein said units which substitute for hydrogen on the rings         which comprise R units are selected from the group consisting         of:     -   i) C₁-C₂₀ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted         hydrocarbyl;     -   ii) halogen;     -   iii) —N(R⁴)₂;     -   iv) —COR⁴;     -   v) —COOR⁴;     -   vi) cyano;     -   vii) nitro;     -   viii) hydroxyl;     -   ix) C₁-C₄ alkoxy;     -   x) haloalkyl having the formula —[C(R⁹)₂]_(n)C(R⁹)₃;     -   xi) and mixtures thereof;         wherein R⁴, R⁹ and the index n are defined herein above.

A first aspect of R units relates to substituted and non-substituted aryl units, said units comprising phenyl, benzyl, naphthylen-2-yl, and naphthylen-2-ylmethyl.

A first iteration of this aspect encompasses R units which are selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3,5-difluorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 4-hydroxyphenyl, 4-methylphenyl, and 4-acetoxyphenyl.

A second iteration of this aspect encompasses R units which are selected from the group consisting of naphthylen-1-yl, 2-naphthylen-2-yl, naphthalen-1-ylmethyl, naphthalen-2-ylmethyl, and 1-hydroxynaphthalen-2-ylmethyl.

A second aspect of R units relates to substituted and non-substituted heteroaryl units wherein R units comprise substituted or unsubstituted quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, and tetrahydroisoquinolinyl.

A fist iteration of this aspect encompasses R units which are 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinolinyl and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolinyl.

A second iteration of this aspect encompasses R units which are 6-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl and 6-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolinyl.

Another aspect of R relates to phenyl rings comprising a C₁-C₄ alkyl unit, non-limiting examples or which include 4-methylphenyl, 2,4-dimethylphenyl, as well as mixed alkyl rings, inter alia, 2-methyl-4-isopropyl.

A yet further aspect of R relates to substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl rings selected from the group consisting of thiophenyl, furanyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrrolyl, and pyridinyl.

R¹ is a substituted or unsubstituted unit selected form the group consisting of:

-   -   i) C₁-C₁₂ linear or branched alkyl;     -   ii) C₃-C₈ cyclic alkyl;     -   iii) C₂-C₁₂ linear or branched alkenyl; and     -   iv) —[C(R⁹)₂]_(n)C(R⁹)₃.         Wherein R⁹ is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and         mixtures thereof; and the units which can substitute for         hydrogen are defined herein above; the index n has the value         from 0 to 10.

A first aspect of R¹ relates to unsubstituted lower alkyl (C₁-C₄) R¹ units, for example, methyl, ethyl, iso-propyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, 2-butyl (1-methylpropyl), allyl, and the like.

A second aspect of R¹ relates to the unsubstituted C₅-C₈ linear alkyl units: n-pentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, and n-octyl.

A third aspect of R¹ relates to unsubstituted cyclic alkyl, for example, cyclopropyl, 2-methyl-cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutyl, 2-methylcyclobutyl, 3-methylcyclobutyl, cyclobutylmethyl, 2-cyclobutylethyl, cyclopentyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexylmethyl, and the like.

A fourth aspect of R¹ relates to substituted units which are haloalkyl units, for example, a first iteration relates to R¹ units selected from the group consisting of —CF₃, —CHF₂, —CH₂F, —CF₂CF₃, and —CCl₃.

A fifth aspect of R¹ relates to substituted lower alkyl units. A first iteration of this aspect relates to R¹ units which are substituted with alkoxy units, for example, R¹ units selected from the group consisting of methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, ethoxymethyl, ethoxyethyl, ethoxypropyl, propoxymethyl, propoxyethyl, and propoxypropyl.

Melanocortin Receptor Ligand Ring Scaffolds

The scaffolds of the present invention, represented by the formula:

each comprise a nitrogen-containing ring, said ring further comprising A, A¹, and A² ring components each of which is independently selected from the group consisting of —C(═NR⁶)—, —C(═O)—, —C(═S)—, —C(R⁶)₂—, —C(R⁶)₂C(R⁶)₂—, —CR⁶═, —N═, —NR⁶—, or two A units can be taken together with an adjacent atom or another A unit to form a bond having the formula —N═N—, —N—NR⁶—, —CR⁶═N—, —C═N—, and mixtures thereof; the index j is equal to 0 or 1.

For example, A comprises —C(═O)—, A¹ unit comprises —C(R⁶)₂—, and A² unit comprises —NR⁶—, therefore providing a keto-piperazine scaffold having the formula:

wherein R⁶ is defined herein below.

R⁶ is hydrogen, R⁴, or the pendant unit W¹ having the formula:

wherein the index r is equal to 0 or 1;

R^(7a) and R^(7b) are each independently selected from the group consisting of

-   -   i) hydrogen;     -   ii) C₁-C₁₂ hydrocarbyl selected from the group consisting of:         -   a) C₁-C₁₂ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted             alkyl;         -   b) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl;         -   c) C₂-C₁₂ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted             alkenyl;         -   d) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl;         -   e) C₆-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted aryl;         -   f) C₁-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;         -   g) C₃-C₁₂ substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl;         -   h) and mixtures thereof;     -   iii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)COR⁴;     -   iv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)COOR⁴;     -   v) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)COCH═CH₂;     -   vi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)C(═NR⁴)N(R⁴)₂;     -   vii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CON(R⁴)₂;     -   viii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CONR⁴N(R⁴)₂     -   ix) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CN;     -   x) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CNO;     -   xi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CF₃, —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CCl₃, —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)CBr₃;     -   xii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)N(R⁴)₂;     -   xiii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴COR⁴;     -   xiv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴CN;     -   xv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NR⁴C(═NR⁴)N(R⁴)₂;     -   xvi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NHN(R⁴)₂;     -   xvii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NHOR⁴;     -   xviii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NCS;     -   xix) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)NO₂;     -   xx) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OR⁴;     -   xxi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCN;     -   xxii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCF₃, —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCCl₃,         —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OCBr₃;     -   xxiii) F, Cl, Br, I, and mixtures thereof;     -   xxiv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₃M;     -   xxv) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)OSO₃M;     -   xxvi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SCN;     -   xxvii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₂N(R⁴)₂;     -   xxviii) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)SO₂R⁴;     -   xxix) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)P(O)(OR⁴)R⁴;     -   xxx) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)P(O)(OR⁴)₂;     -   xxxi) haloalkyl having the formula —[C(R⁹)₂]_(n)C(R⁹)₃;     -   xxxii) and mixtures thereof;         R⁴ is the same as defined herein above; R⁹ is R⁴, fluorine,         chlorine, bromine, iodine, and mixtures thereof; each R¹¹ is         hydrogen or R¹⁰; the index n has the value from 0 to 10.

R⁸ is selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   i) hydrogen;     -   ii) C₃-C₈ non-aromatic carbocyclic rings;     -   iii) C₆-C₁₄ aromatic carbocyclic rings;     -   iv) C₁-C₇ non-aromatic heterocyclic rings;     -   V) C₃-C₁₃ aromatic heterocyclic rings;     -   vi) —C(Y)R⁴;     -   vii) —C(Y)₂R⁴;     -   viii) —C(Y)N(R⁴)₂;     -   ix) —C(Y)NR⁴N(R⁴)₂;     -   x) —CN;     -   xi) —CNO;     -   xii) —[C(R⁹)₂]C(R⁹)₂;     -   xiii) —N(R⁴)₂;     -   xiv) —NR⁴CN;     -   xv) —NR⁴C(Y)R⁴;     -   xvi) —NR⁴C(Y)N(R⁴)₂;     -   xvii) —NHN(R⁴)₂;     -   xviii) —NHOR⁴;     -   xix) —NCS;     -   xx) —NO₂;     -   xxi) —OR⁴;     -   xxii) —OCN;     -   xxiii) —OCF₃, —OCCl₃, —OCBr₃;     -   xxiv) —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, and mixtures thereof;     -   xxv) —SCN;     -   xxvi) —SO₃M;     -   xxvii) —OSO₃M;     -   xxviii) —SO₂N(R⁴)₂;     -   xxix) —SO₂R⁴;     -   xxx) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)P(O)(OR⁴)R⁴;     -   xxxi) —[C(R¹¹)₂]_(n)P(O)(OR⁴)₂;     -   xxxii) and mixtures thereof;     -   wherein R⁴, M, Y, and the index x are the same as defined herein         above.

The first aspect of W¹ relates to units having the formula:

wherein R⁸ is a unit selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   a) C₆-C₁₄ aromatic carbocyclic rings: (group (iii) above); or     -   b) C₃-C₁₃ aromatic heterocyclic rings: (group (v) above);         and R^(7a) is selected from the group consisting of:     -   a) hydrogen;     -   b) —COR⁴;     -   c) —COOR⁴;     -   d) —CON(R⁴)₂; and     -   e) —N(R⁴)₂;         wherein for this aspect of R⁸ each R⁴ is independently hydrogen,         methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, cyclopropyl,         cyclopropylmethyl, methoxy, and mixtures thereof. The index x is         equal to 1 or 2.

R⁸ units which are suitable for use in this aspect of W¹ include units selected from the group consisting of (2-fluorophenyl)methyl, (3-fluorophenyl)methyl, (4-fluorophenyl)methyl, (2,3-difluorophenyl)methyl, (2,4-difluorophenyl)methyl, (3,4-difluorophenyl)methyl, (3,5-difluorophenyl)-methyl, (2-chlorophenyl)methyl, (3-chlorophenyl)methyl, (4-chlorophenyl)methyl, (2,3-dichlorophenyl)methyl, (2,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl, (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl, (3,5-dichlorophenyl)-methyl, and naphthalene-2-ylmethyl.

Iterations of this aspect of the present invention relate to units having the formula:

and encompass scaffolds wherein R^(7a) is an amide, for example, compounds having the following formulae:

and to scaffolds wherein R^(7a) and R^(7b) are each hydrogen, for example:

The second aspect of W¹ units comprise R^(7a) units which are short chain alkyl or alkenyl (lower hydrocarbyl) esters having the formula: —C(O)OR⁴; non-limiting examples of which are —C(O)OCH₃; —C(O)OCH₂CH₃; —C(O)OCH₂CH₂CH₃; —C(O)OCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃; —C(O)OCH(CH₃)₂; —C(O)OCH₂CH(CH₃)₂; —C(O)OCH₂CH═CHCH₃; —C(O)OCH₂CH₂CH(CH₃)₂; —C(O)OCH₂C(CH₃)₃; and the like; and short chain substituted or non-substituted amides having the formula: —C(O)NHR⁴ or —NHC(O)R⁴ non-limiting examples of which are —C(O)NHCH₃; —C(O)NHCH₂CH₃; —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂; —C(O)NHCH₂CH₂CH₃; —C(O)NHCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃; —C(O)NHCH₂CH(CH₃)₂; —C(O)NH₂; —C(O)NHCH₂CH═CHCH₃; —C(O)NHCH₂CH₂CH(CH₃)₂; —C(O)NHCH₂C(CH₃)₃; C(O)NHCH₂CH₂SCH₃; —C(O)NHCH₂CH₂OH; —NHC(O)CH₃; —NHC(O)CH₂CH₃; —NHC(O)—CH₂CH₂CH₃; and the like.

The third aspect of W¹ units comprise units which are guanidine and guanidine mimetics having the formula:

and R^(7a) is a unit selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   a) —C(Y)N(R¹²)₂;     -   b) —C(Y)NR¹²N(R¹³)₂;     -   c) —NR¹²C(Y)N(R¹³)₂; and     -   d) —NHN(R²)₂;         wherein Y is ═O, ═S, ═NR¹⁴, and mixtures thereof, R¹², R¹³ and         R¹⁴ are each independently hydrogen, methyl, cyano, hydroxy,         nitro, and mixtures thereof; the index x is from 0 to 5; and         R⁸ is selected from the group consisting of benzyl,         (2-chlorophenyl)methyl, (3-chlorophenyl)-methyl,         (4-chlorophenyl)methyl, (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl,         (2-fluorophenyl)-methyl, (3-fluorophenyl)methyl,         (4-fluorophenyl)methyl, and naphthalen-2-ylmethyl.

Another iteration of this aspect relates to W¹ units wherein R^(7a) is selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   i) hydrogen;     -   ii) —CO₂H;     -   iii) —CO₂CH₃;     -   iv) —CONH₂;     -   v) —CONHCH₃;     -   vi) —CON(CH₃)₂;     -   vii) —CONH(CH₂CH₂F);     -   viii) —CONCH(CH₃)₂;     -   ix) —CONH(C₃H₅);     -   x) —CONHCH₂(C₃H₅);         and R⁸ is selected from the group consisting of benzyl,         (2-chlorophenyl)methyl, (3-chlorophenyl-)methyl,         (4-chlorophenyl)methyl, (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl,         (2-fluorophenyl)-methyl, (3-fluorophenyl)methyl,         (4-fluorophenyl)methyl, and naphthalen-2-ylmethyl.

A further aspect of W¹ relates to A, A¹, or A² units which comprise a NR⁶— unit and R⁶ has the formula —CH₂R⁸ wherein R⁸ is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 3,4-dichlorophenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, and naphth-2-yl.

Non-limiting examples of W¹ wherein R^(7a) units have the formula: —NR¹²C(NR¹⁴)N(R¹³)₂; are selected from the group consisting of:

The fourth aspect of the present invention as it relates to W¹ units are the 5-member ring W¹ units having the formula: —(CH_(n))_(x)—R⁸ wherein the index x is 0, 1, 2, or 3 and R⁸ is selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   i) triazolyl having the formula:     -   ii) tetrazolyl having the formula:     -   iii) thiazolyl, 2-methylthiazolyl, 4-mentylthiazolyl,         5-methylthiazolyl having the formula:     -   iv) 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, 2-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazolyl having the         formula:     -   v) 1,2,5-thiadiazolyl, 3-methyl-1,2,5-thiadiazolyl having the         formula:     -   vi) oxazolyl, 2-methyloxazolyl, 4-methyloxazolyl,         5-methyloxazolyl having the formula:     -   vii) imidazolyl, 2-methylimidazolyl, 5-methylimidazolyl having         the formula:     -   viii) 5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 2-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazolyl,         5-amino-1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, having the formula:     -   ix) 1,2-dihydro[1,2,4]triazol-3-one-1-yl,         2-methyl-1,2-dihydro[1,2,4]triazol-3-one-5-yl, having the         formula:     -   x) oxazolidin-2-one-3-yl; 4,4-dimethyloxazolidin-2-one-3-yl;         imidazolidin-2-one-1-yl; 1-methylimidazolidin-2-one-1-yl, having         the formula:     -   xi) 2-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, 2-amino-1,3,4-oxadiazolyl,         2-(N,N-dimethylamino)-1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, having the formula:

A fourth aspect of W¹ of this first category of receptor ligands relates to R⁵ units comprising substituted an unsubstituted, saturated and unsaturated six-member rings having at least one nitrogen, non limiting examples of which include pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, 1,3,5-triazinyl, piperidinyl, hexahydropyrimidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, and the like.

A fifth aspect of W¹ of this first category of receptor ligands relates to R⁵ units comprising substituted and unsubstituted fused ring heterocycles for example, quinolin-2-yl, quinolin-3-yl, and quinolin-4-yl units having the formula:

substituted and unsubstituted isoquinolin-1-yl, isoquinolin-3-yl, and 1soquinolin-4-yl units having the formula:

and unsubstituted [5,6] fused ring systems, inter alia, 1H-indolin-3-yl having the formula:

The analogs (compounds) of the present invention are arranged into several categories to assist the formulator in applying a rational synthetic strategy for the preparation of analogs which are not expressly exampled herein. The arrangement into categories does not imply increased or decreased efficacy for any of the compositions of matter described herein. The melanocortin receptor ligands of the present invention are differentiated into categories depending upon the ring A unit selections. However, preparation strategies and synthetic routes suitable for one ring scaffold may be suitable or adaptable to other ring systems or ring substituents.

Non-limiting examples of categories of the present invention include Category I analogs comprising a 2-oxo-3-hydrocarbyl-piperazines the first aspect of which has the formula:

Category II analogs comprise a 2-oxo-3-hydrocarbyl-piperazine having the formula:

Category III relates to 3-hydrocarbyl-piperazines having the formula:

Category IV comprises 2-hydrocarbyl-pyrrolidines having the formula:

Other non-limiting examples of scaffolds according to the present invention include: 2-hydrocarbyl-4-□-aminohydrocarbyl-piperazine having the formula:

2-hydrocarbyl-4,4-disubstituted-piperidine having the formula:

2-hydrocarbyl-4,4-disubstituted-piperidine having the formula:

2-oxo-3-hydrocarbyl-[1,4]diazepane having the formula:

Category I melanocortin receptor ligands according to the present invention comprise the 2-oxo-3-hydrocarbyl-piperazines having the general scaffold with the formula:

The first aspect of Category I comprises analogs wherein W is —NH₂, said analogs having a scaffold with the formula:

wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl unit as described herein above and non-limiting examples of R¹, R^(7a) and R⁸ are provided herein below in Table I. TABLE I No. R¹ R^(7a) R⁸ 1 methyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 2 ethyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 3 propyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 4 iso-propyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5 butyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 6 cyclopropyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 7 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 8 allyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 9 but-2-enyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 10 propargyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 11 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 12 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 13 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 14 iso-propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 15 butyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 16 cyclopropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 17 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 18 allyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 19 but-2-enyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 20 propargyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 21 methyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 22 ethyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 23 propyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 24 iso-propyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 25 butyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 26 cyclopropyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 27 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 28 allyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 29 but-2-enyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 30 propargyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 31 methyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 32 ethyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 33 propyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 34 iso-propyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 35 butyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 36 cyclopropyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 37 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 38 allyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 39 but-2-enyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 40 propargyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 41 methyl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 42 ethyl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 43 propyl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 44 iso-propyl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 45 butyl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 46 cyclopropyl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 47 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 48 allyl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 49 but-2-enyl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 50 propargyl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 51 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 52 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 53 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 54 iso-propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 55 butyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 56 cyclopropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 57 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 58 allyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 59 but-2-enyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 60 propargyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 61 methyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 62 ethyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 63 propyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 64 iso-propyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 65 butyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 66 cyclopropyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 67 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 68 allyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 69 but-2-enyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 70 propargyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 71 methyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 72 ethyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 73 propyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 74 iso-propyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 75 butyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 76 cyclopropyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 77 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 78 allyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 79 but-2-enyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 80 propargyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (4-chlorophenyl)methyl

The compounds of the first aspect of Category I can be suitably prepared by the procedure outlined herein below in Scheme I.

EXAMPLE 1 2-{3-Allyl-4-[2-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide (9)

Preparation of (S,S)-2-(2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-pent-4-enoylamino)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (1): To a solution of 2-(S)-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-pent-4-enoic acid (3.8 g, 18.0 mmol) and 2-(S)-amino-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (4.1 g, 18.0 mmol) in DMF (40 mL) are added 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (3.1 g, 23.4 mmol), N-methylmorpholine (9.1 g, 90.0 mmol) and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (4.5 g, 23.4 mmol) consecutively and the reaction mixture is stirred for 3 hours. The reaction is quenched with aqueous NH₄Cl and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified over silica gel (hexanes/ethyl acetate, 1:1) to afford 6.4 g (84% yield) of the desired product.

Preparation of (S,S)-2-(2-amino-pent-4-enoylamino)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (2): To a solution of (S,S)-2-(2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-pent-4-enoylamino)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 1, (6.2 g, 14.64 mmol) in methylene chloride (40 mL) is added trifluoroacetic acid (5 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred for 3 hours and the solvent and excess trifluoroacetic acid are removed under in vacuo. The residue is dried under high vacuum for several hours and 6.35 g of the crude trifluoroacetate salt of the desired product is obtained, which is used without further purification.

Preparation of (S,S)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-2-[2-(2-nitro-benzenesulfonylamino)-pent-4-enoylamino]-propionic acid methyl ester (3): To a solution of (S,S)-2-(2-amino-pent-4-enoylamino)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester salt, 2, (4.2 g) in CHCl₃ (50 mL) are added triethyl amine (3.8 g, 38 mmol) and 2-nitrophenylsulfonyl chloride (2.5 g, 11.5 mmol). The reaction is stirred for 10 hours then quenched with 10% aqueous HCl. The solvent is decanted, and the aqueous phase is extracted with ethyl acetate, the organic layers combined, dried and concentrated in vacuo to afford a crude residue which is purified over silica (hexanes/EtOAc, 3:2) to afford 3.84 g of the desired product.

Preparation of (S,S)-2-[3-Allyl-4-(2-nitro-benzenesulfonyl)-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl]-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (4): To a solution of (S,S)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-2-[2-(2-nitro-benzenesulfonylamino)-pent-4-enoylamino]-propionic acid methyl ester, 3, (3.6 g, 7.0 mmol) and 1,2-dibromoethane (13.2 g, 70.0 mmol) in DMF (40 mL) is added potassium carbonate (9.6 g, 70.0 mmol). The reaction suspension was stirred at 65° C. for 12 h, quenched with 10% aqueous HCl and extracted with EtOAc. The extract is dried over Na₂SO₄, concentrated and the residue purified over silica gel (hexanes/EtOAc, 1:2) to afford 3.7 g (97% yield) of the desired product.

Preparation of (S,S)-2-(3-allyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (5): To a solution of (S,S)-2-[3-allyl-4-(2-nitro-benzenesulfonyl)-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl]-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 4, (4.8 g, 8.9 mmol) and 4-mercaptophenol (4.5 g, 35.7 mmol) in DMF (35 mL) is added potassium carbonate (7.4 g, 53.4 mmol). The reaction mixture is stirred 18 hours then quenched with saturated NaHCO₃ solution and extracted with EtOAc (200 mL). The extract is dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo to afford a bright yellow oil which is purified over silica gel (hexanes/EtOAc, 1:1 to EtOAc/MeOH, 10:1) to afford 2.45 g (79% yield) of the desired product.

Preparation of (S)-2-{3-(S)-allyl-4-[2-(R)-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (6): To a solution of (S,S)-2-(3-allyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 5, (500 mg, 1.42 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (5.0 mL) are added 2-(R)-tert-butoxycarbonyl-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionic acid (473 mg, 1.67 mmol), benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-pyrrolidinol-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (PyBOP) (960 mg, 1.85 mmol) and triethylamine (169 mg, 1.67 mmol). The reaction mixture is stirred for 20 h, quenched with 10% NaHCO₃ aqueous solution and extracted with EtOAc. The extract is dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. The residue is purified over silica gel (hexanes/ethyl acetate, 4:1 to 3:2) to afford 0.745 g (85% yield) of the desired product.

Preparation of (S)-2-{3-(S)-Allyl-4-[2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid (7):

To a solution of (S)-2-{3-(S)-allyl-4-[2-(R)-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 6, (200 mg, 0.324 mmol) in a mixture of THF (1 mL)/CH₃OH (0.5 mL)/H₂O (0.5 mL) is added LiOH (43 mg, 1.78 mmol). The reaction mixture is stirred for 3 hours, acidified with 1N HCl to pH 3 and extracted with EtOAc. The extract is dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated and dried under high vacuum to afford the desired product in quantitative yield, which is used without further purification.

Preparation of (2-(R)-{2-(S)-allyl-4-[1-(S)-(methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-ylethyl)]-3-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl)-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (8): To a solution of (S)-2-{3-(S)-allyl-4-[2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid, 7, (195 mg) in DMF (3 mL) are added methylamine (2M, 0.175 mL, 0.35 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (57 mg, 0.42 mmol), N-methylmorpholine (162 mg, 1.6 mmol) and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (80 mg, 0.42 mmol) consecutively and the reaction mixture is stirred 18 hours. The reaction is then quenched with aqueous NH₄Cl and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo and the resulting residue is purified over silica gel (hexanes/ethyl acetate, 1:1) to afford 0.183 g (88% yield) of the desired product.

Preparation of 2-(S)-{3-(S)-allyl-4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide (9): To a solution of (2-(R)-{2-(S)-allyl-4-[1-(S)-(methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-ylethyl)]-3-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl)-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester, 8, (32 mg, 0.052 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (1 mL) is added trifluoroacetic acid. The reaction mixture is stirred for 45 min, concentrated in vacuo and the resulting residue purified by reverse phase HPLC to afford 27 mg of the trifluoroacetate salt of the desired product.

In the above example for the preparation of analogs encompassed by the first aspect of Category 1,2-(S)-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-pent-4-enoic acid is used for the preparation of compound 1. Other analogs encompassed within the first aspect of Category I wherein R¹ comprises other units as defined herein above, can be prepared by substituting the appropriate starting material in place of 2-(S)-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-pent-4-enoic acid, for example, 2-(S)-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-propionic acid, 2-(S)-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-butyric acid, 2-(S)-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-pentanoic acid, 2-(S)-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-methyl-butyric acid, 2-(S)-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-cyclopropyl-propionic acid, and the like. The formulator may also choose to prepare rings which comprise the opposite stereochemistry, for example, those derived from the use of 2-(R)-tert-butoxy-carbonylamino-pent-4-enoic acid or, as a further iteration, the formulator may wish to provide a racemic mixture, for example, an analog derived from 2-(R,S)-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-pent-4-enoic acid.

As described herein above and as exemplified in both Table I and Scheme I, the formulator may choose to substitute for naphthylen-2-ylmethyl (R⁸ units). Non-limiting examples of suitable groups include benzyl, 3-methoxybenzyl, 4-methoxybenzyl, 3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl, 2-fluorobenzyl, 3-fluorobenzyl, 4-fluorobenzyl, 2,4-difluorobenzyl, 3,5-difluorobenzyl, 3,4-difluorobenzyl, 2-trifluoromethylbenzyl, 3-trifluoromethylbenzyl, 4-trifluoromethylbenzyl, 3-methylbenzyl, 4-methylbenzyl, 4-phenylbenzyl, isoquinolin-6-yl, indol-2-yl, indol-3-yl, and the like.

In addition, the R^(7a) unit may include, for example, —CH₂C(O)NH₂, —CH₂C(O)N(CH₃)₂, —C(O)N(CH₃)₂, —C(O)NH₂, —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F), —C(O)NHCH₂(C₃H₅), and the like.

In addition, R units can be modified to reflect the choice of the formulator, for example, 2-(R)-tert-butoxycarbonyl-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionic acid can be replaced by 2-(R)-tert-butoxycarbonyl-amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)propionic acid to replace the 4-fluorophenyl R unit with the 4-chlorophenyl R unit. Non-limiting examples of other suitable replacements include 2-(R)-tert-butoxycarbonyl-amino-3-(3-fluorophenyl)propionic acid, 2-(R)-tert-butoxycarbonyl-amino-3-(2,4-difluorophenyl)propionic acid, 2-(R)-tert-butoxycarbonyl-amino-3-(4-methylphenyl)propionic acid, 2-(R)-tert-butoxycarbonyl-amino-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid, 2-(R)-tert-butoxycarbonyl-amino-3-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)propionic acid, and the like.

These changes and iterations can be made by replacement of one or more reagents or starting materials described herein above in Scheme I.

The following are non-limiting examples of compounds which comprise the first aspect of Category I analogs.

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □8.02-8.22 (m, 0.4H), 6.95-7.50 (m, 7H), 5.52 (dd, J=11.5, 5.2 Hz, 0.75H), 5.41 (dd, J=10.8, 6.3 Hz, 0.25H), 4.02-4.76 (m, 1.3H), 4.28-4.46 (m, 0.7H), 3.40-3.74 (m, 2H), 2.66 3.30 (m, 9H), 1.12-1.44 (m, 2H), 0.86-1.08 m, 0.6H), 0.75-0.85 (m, 4.4H); MS (ESMS) m/z 537.2, 539.2, 541.2 (M+H)⁺, Cl₂ isotope pattern.

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-(2-fluoroethyl)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: MS (ESMS) m/z 563.5 (M+H)⁺.

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 6.90˜7.90 (m, 11H), 5.30˜5.60 (m, 1H), 2.60˜4.00 (m, 13H), 0.80˜1.60 (m, 2H), −0.49˜0.2 (m, 5H); MS (ES-MS) m/z 531 (M+1).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 7.00˜8.00 (m, 11H), 4.57 (m, 1H), 4.10˜4.30 (m, 2H), 2.60˜3.75 (m, 12H), 1.85 (bs, 2H), 1.25˜1.50 (m, 2H), 0.40˜0.60 (m, 3H); MS (ES-MS) m/z 592 (M+1).

3-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-4-naphthalen-2-yl-butyramide. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) 6.80˜7.80 (m, 11H), 2.40˜3.60 (m, 16H), 0.92 (m, 2H), 0.32 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 mHz) 172.01, 168.22, 167.37, 134.53, 133.59, 132.64, 131.56, 131.47, 129.46, 128.50, 127.94, 127.54, 127.16, 126.15, 116.18, 115.89, 56.38, 51.07, 41.18, 39.00, 38.46, 37.87, 37.27, 34.33, 31.22, 26.58, 18.80, 13.55; MS (ES-MS) m/z 533 (M+1).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) 7.00˜8.00 (m, 11H), 4.57 (m, 1H), 4.10˜4.30 (m, 2H), 2.60˜3.75 (m, 12H), 1.85 (bs, 2H), 1.25˜1.50 (m, 2H), 0.40˜0.60 (m, 3H); MS (ES-MS) m/z 592 (M+1).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz) □ 7.85-7.54, (m, 4H); 7.54-7.37, (m, 3H); 7.28-7.17, (m, 2H); 7.07-6.96, (m, 2H); 4.67-4.55, (m, 1H); 3.65-2.93, (m, 10H); 2.86-2.69, (m, 4H); 1.89-1.84, (m, 2H), 1.04-0.78, (m, 2H); 0.63-0.26, (m, 4H). ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz) □ 171.02, 170.91, 168.77, 167.03, 167.00, 164.32, 161.06, 134.27, 133.73, 132.80, 131.52, 131.41, 131.06, 129.93, 128.12, 127.60, 127.49, 127.32, 127.02, 126.24, 125.71, 115.76, 115.48, 56.28, 56.15, 50.71, 46.25, 46.17, 41.49, 41.32, 36.60, 34.41, 34.23, 26.26, 26.14, 25.26, 18.41, 18.38, 12.58. MS(ESI) m/e 519 [M+1).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-(2-fluoroethyl)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz) □ 7.84-7.68, m, 4H, 7.50-7.31, m, 5H, 7.15-7.08, m, 2H, 4.77-4.57, m, 2H, 4.42-4.34, m, 1H; 4.27-4.17, m, 1H, 4.11-4.05, m, 0.5H, 3.82-2.79, m, 11H; 2.59-2.52, m, 0.5H, 1.77-1.30, m, 2.5H, 1.21-1.13, m, 2H, 0.85-0.83, t, (J=7.13 Hz), 3H; ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz) □ 170.76, 169.75, 169.54, 134.16, 133.80, 132.78, 132.65, 132.32, 131.76, 131.59, 130.02, 127.99, 127.49, 126.06, 125.65, 115.84, 115.71, 115.55, 82.86, 82.73, 69.53, 69.25, 52.75, 50.88, 50.43, 49.44, 40.36, 39.69, 39.44, 36.63, 34.12, 33.87, 31.89, 31.02, 19.19, 19.02, 12.95, 12.85. MS(ESI) m/e 536 [M+1).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3R-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3 S-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3S-thiazol-4-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz) □ 8.94 (d, H, J=1.52 Hz) 7.49-7.41 (m, 3H) 7.28-7.08 (m, 2H) 7.01 (t, 1H, J=8.71 Hz) 5.52 (q, 1H, J=6.95 Hz) 4.76 (t, 1H, J=6.69 Hz) 4.68 (t, 1H, J=7.60 Hz) 3.76-3.64 (m, 2H) 3.62-3.46 (m, 2H) 3.17-3.01 (m, 4H) 2.74 (s, 3H) 1.54-29 (m, 2H) 1.08-0.91 (m, 2H) 0.85 (t, 3H, J=7.58 Hz) MS (ESD m/z 475 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3R-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3 S-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-isopropyl-3S-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR(CDCl₃, 300 MHz)

7.80-7.68 (m, 3H) 7.59-7.55 (m, 1H) 7.49-7.41 (m, 2H) 7.19-7.07 (m, 2H) 6.96 (t, 3H, J=8.38 Hz) 6.42 (d, 1H, J=7.57 Hz) 5.51-5.42 (m, 1H) 3.69-2.78 (m, 11H) 1.18 (d, 2H, J=6.566 Hz) 1.09-1.00 (m, 6H) 0.3-0.1 (m, 5H) MS (ESI) m/z 559 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-(S)-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(S)-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-isopropyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD,300 MHz) □ 7.50-6.97 (m, 7H) 5.49-5.38 (m, 1H) 4.63-4.60 (m, 1H) 4.21-4.37 (m, 1H) 4.08-3.85 (m, 1H) 3.74-3.61 (m, 2H) 3.44-2.89 (m, 6H) 1.48-1.09 (m, 10H) 0.93-0.77(m, 3H) MS (ESI) m/z 565 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-(S)-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(S)-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-isopropyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD,300 MHz) □ 7.42-6.93 (m, 8H) 5.59-5.43 (m, 1H) 4.73-4.61 (m, 1H) 4.06-3.88 (m, 2H) 3.72-3.53 (M, 4H) 3.42-3.21 (m, 2H) 3.14-2.91 (m, 2H) 1.48-0.74 (m, 13H) MS (ESI) m/z 531 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-(S)-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(S)-(3-cyano-phenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD,300 MHz) □ 7.67-6.54 (m, 3H) 7.52-7.43 (m, 1H) 7.38-7.18 (m, 2H) 7.16-6.94 (m, 2H) 5.58-5.38 (m, 1H) 4.75-4.60 (m, 1H) 4.38-4.27 (m, 1H) 3.76-3.63 (m, 2H) 3.62-3.43 (m, 2H) 3.20-3.01 (m, 2H) 2.98-2.86 (m, 2H) 2,74 (s, 3H) 1.45-1.14 (m, 4H) 0.93-0.74 (m, 3H) MS (ESI) m/z 494 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-(S)-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(S)-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD,300 MHz) □ 7.32 (q, 2H, J=1.97 Hz) 7.12 (t, 2H, J=8.74) 6.87-6.71 (m, 3H) 5.51 (q, 1H, J=5.50 Hz) 4.70-4.58 (m, 1H) 3.85-3.76 (m, 6H) 3.68-3.45 (m, 1H) 3.28-2.79 (m, 8H) 2.74 (s, 3H) 1.39-1.06 (m, 4H) 0.86-0.72 (m, 3H) MS (ESI) m/z 529 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-(S)-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-isopropyl-3-(S)-p-tolyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 7.28-6.82(m, 8H) 6.42(d, 1H, J=7.68 Hz) 5.88(d, 1H, J=6.72) 5.39-5.09 (m, 2H) 4.78-4.51(m, 2H) 4.09-3.73 (m, 4H) 3.55-2.60 (m, 6H) 2.52-2.15 (m, 6H) 1.43-0.59 (m, 7H) MS (ESI) m/z 511 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-(S)-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(S)-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-ethyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD,300 MHz) □ 7.39-6.97 (m, 8H) 5.53-5.35 (m, 2H) 5.02-4.58(m, 4H) 3.71-2.87(m, 10H) 1.50-0.55 (m, 10H) MS (ESI) m/z 517(M+H⁺, 100).

N-Allyl-2-{4-[2-amino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-(S)-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(S)-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz) □ 7.92-6.92 (m, 11H) 5.98-5.52 (m, 5H) 5.31-5.05 (m, 3H) 4.68-4.42 (m, 2H) 3.92-2.70 (m, 6H) 1.20-0.21 (m, 7H) MS (ESI) m/z 545(M+H⁺, 100).

N-Allyl-2-{4-[2-amino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-(S)-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(S)-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz) □ 7.98-6.92 (m, 11H) 5.75-5.40 (m, 3H) 5.05-4.00 (m, 2H) 3.82-2.78 (m, 11H) 1.38-0.28 (m, 7H) MS (ESI) m/z 601 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-fluoroethyl)-propionamide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.35-6.85 (m, 8H), 5.52 (m, 1H), 4.69-4.35 (m, 4H), 3.62-2.88 (m, 10H), 1.36-1.17 (m, 2H), 0.84 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 172.1, 171.9, 170.2, 168.4, 168.1, 164.9, 163.3, 136.9, 136.8, 134.1, 132.9, 132.8, 132.3, 132.3, 132.0, 131.9, 131.3, 131.3, 129.8, 129.8, 117.4, 117.3, 117.1, 116.9, 83.8, 83.7, 82.7, 82.5, 59.3, 57.8, 57.5, 57.4, 52.5, 52.3, 42.9, 42.8, 42.7, 41.3, 41.2, 39.3, 38.3, 37.8, 36.8, 35.8, 35.5, 35.1, 20.0, 19.9, 14.4, 14.3; MS m/z (ESI): 535 (M+H, 100), 537 (M+2+H, 37).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-(S)-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(S)-(4-cyano-phenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD OD, 300 MHz)

7.71-7.62 (m, 2H) 7.50-7.42 (m, 2H) 7.38-7.30 (m, 2H) 7.18-7.10 (m, 2H) 5.57-5.41 (m, 1H) 4.71 (t, 1H, J=6.60 Hz) 3.74-3.64 (m, 1H) 3.62-3.46 (m, 4H) 3.18-3.07 (m, 4H) 2.74 (s, 3H) 1.42-1.28 (m, 2H) 1.26-1.13 (m, 2H) 0.81 (s, 3H) MS (ESI) m/z 493 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-(2-fluoroethyl)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 8.42-8.63 (m, 0.6H), 7.62-7.91 (m, 4H), 7.35-7.60 (m, 3H), 7.13-7.35 (m, 2H), 6.93-7.13 (m, 2H), 5.55-5.80 (m, 1H), 4.16-4.71 (m, 4H), 2.68-3.74 (m, 10H), 0.75-1.11 (m, 2H), 0.18-0.74 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 172.58, 172.48, 170.40, 168.60, 168.33, 165.89, 162.64, 135.76, 135.29, 134.38, 133.08, 132.97, 132.59, 132.48, 131.50, 131.47, 131.02, 129.72, 129.16, 129.06, 128.90, 128.67, 128.54, 127.80, 127.29, 117.33, 117.05, 84.62, 84.50, 82.40, 82.28, 59.46, 57.95, 57.74, 52.65, 52.31, 43.21, 42.97, 41.67, 41.39, 39.46, 38.55, 38.15, 36.79, 36.68, 36.18, 35.83, 19.97, 14.11; MS (ESMS) m/z 551.5 (M+H)⁺.

The following are non-limiting examples of a further iteration of this aspect of Category I wherein R^(7a) is hydrogen:

4-[2-Amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-propionyl]-1-(2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-3-propyl-piperazin-2-one: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 7.73-7.89 (m, 3H), 7.62 (s, 1H), 7.15-7.55 (m, 7H), 4.68-4.87 (m, 1.3H), 4.32-4.57 (m, 0.7H), 3.92-4.10 (m, 1H), 3.52-3.74 (m, 1H), 3.28-3.51 (m, 1H), 2.74-3.26 (m, 7H), 1.38-1.72 (m, 2H), 0.92-1.37 (m, 2H), 0.74-0.91 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 169.61, 168.62, 168.23, 167.87, 137.74, 137.68, 135.38, 134.32, 134.20, 133.94, 132.80, 132.43, 130.76, 130.54, 129.65, 129.57, 129.15, 128.89, 128.84, 128.76, 127.68, 127.62, 127.05, 59.59, 57.16, 52.04, 51.69, 49.54, 49.31, 47.88, 47.12, 41.66, 39.03, 38.30, 36.21, 35.63, 34.60, 34.39, 20.65, 20.60, 14.63; MS (ESMS) m/z 478.3, 480.3 (M+H)⁺, Cl isotope pattern.

The second aspect of Category I comprises analogs wherein W is —NH², said analogs having a scaffold with the formula:

wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl unit as described herein above and non-limiting examples of R¹, R⁴ and R⁸ are described herein below in Table II. TABLE II No. R¹ R⁴ R⁸ 81 methyl —H naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 82 ethyl —H naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 83 propyl —H naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 84 iso-propyl —H naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 85 butyl —H naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 86 cyclopropyl —H naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 87 cyclopropylmethyl —H naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 88 allyl —H naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 89 but-2-enyl —H naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 90 propargyl —H naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 91 methyl —H (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 92 ethyl —H (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 93 propyl —H (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 94 iso-propyl —H (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 95 butyl —H (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 96 cyclopropyl —H (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 97 cyclopropylmethyl —H (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 98 allyl —H (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 99 but-2-enyl —H (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 100 propargyl —H (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 101 methyl —CH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 102 ethyl —CH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 103 propyl —CH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 104 iso-propyl —CH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 105 butyl —CH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 106 cyclopropyl —CH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 107 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 108 allyl —CH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 109 but-2-enyl —CH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 110 propargyl —CH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 111 methyl —CH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 112 ethyl —CH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 113 propyl —CH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 114 iso-propyl —CH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 115 butyl —CH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 116 cyclopropyl —CH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 117 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 118 allyl —CH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 119 but-2-enyl —CH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 120 propargyl —CH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl

The compounds which comprise the second aspect of Category I can be prepared by the procedure outlined herein below in Scheme II which entails de-protection of intermediates such Intermediate 6 to form the ester analogs which comprise this aspect and hydrolysis of the corresponding ester analogs to the free acid analogs.

EXAMPLE 2 2-{3-Allyl-4-[2-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (10)

Preparation of 2-(S)-{3-(S)-allyl-4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (10): To a solution of (S)-2-{3-(S)-allyl-4-[2-(R)-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 6, (200 mg, 0.324 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (1 mL) is added trifluoroacetic acid. The reaction mixture is stirred for 45 min, concentrated in vacuo and the resulting residue purified by reverse phase HPLC to afford the trifluoroacetate salt of the desired product.

EXAMPLE 3 2-{3-Allyl-4-[2-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid (11)

Preparation of 2-(S)-{3-(S)-allyl-4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid (11): To a solution of 2-{3-allyl-4-[2-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 10, (168 mg, 0.324 mmol) in a mixture of THF (1 mL)/CH₃OH (0.5 mL)/H₂O (0.5 mL) is added LiOH (43 mg, 1.78 mmol). The reaction mixture is stirred for 3 hours, acidified with 1N HCl to pH 3 and extracted with EtOAc. The extract is dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated and dried under high vacuum to afford the desired product in quantitative yield.

The following are non-limiting examples of other melanocortin receptor ligands encompassed by Category I of the present invention.

-   2-(S)-{3-(S)-allyl-4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{3-(S)-methyl-4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{3-(S)-ethyl-4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{3-(S)-ethyl-4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{3-(S)-propyl-4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{3-(S)-propyl-4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{3-(S)-iso-propyl-4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{3-(S)-cyclopropylmethyl-4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{3-(S)-iso-butyl-4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{3-(S)-propargyl-4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{3-(S)-benzyl-4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{3-(S)-allyl-4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N,N-dimethyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-3-(S)-isopropyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-cyclopropylmethyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)propionyl]-3-(S)-isopropyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-cyclopropylmethyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-3-(S)-propyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-3-(S)-allyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-phenyl-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)propionyl]-3-(S)-methyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)propionyl]-3-(s)-propyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-(2-fluoroethyl)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)propionyl]-3-(S)-propyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)propionyl]-3-(S)-propyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-3-(S)-propyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-propionamide; -   2-(S)-{3-(S)-allyl-4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide;     and -   2-(S)-{3-(S)-allyl-4-[2-(R)-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide.

Category II melanocortin receptor ligands according to the present invention comprise the 2-oxo-3-hydrocarbyl-piperazines having the general scaffold with the formula:

wherein the index x can be 0 or 1.

The first aspect of Category II comprises analogs with a scaffold having the formula:

wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl unit as defined herein above and non-limiting examples of R¹, R^(5a), R^(5b), R^(7a) and R⁸ are provided herein below in Table III. TABLE III No. R¹ R^(5a) R^(5b) R^(7a) R⁸ 121 methyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 122 ethyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 123 propyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 124 iso-propyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 125 butyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 126 tert-butyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 127 cyclopropyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 128 cyclopropylmethyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 129 allyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 130 but-2-enyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 131 methyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 132 ethyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 133 propyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 134 iso-propyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 135 butyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 136 tert-butyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 137 cyclopropyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 138 cyclopropylmethyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 139 allyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 140 but-2-enyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 141 methyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 142 ethyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 143 propyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 144 iso-propyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 145 butyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 146 tert-butyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 147 cyclopropyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 148 cyclopropylmethyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 149 allyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 150 but-2-enyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 151 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 152 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 153 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 154 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 155 butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 156 tert-butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 157 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 158 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 159 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 160 but-2-enyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 161 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 162 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 163 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 164 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 165 butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 166 tert-butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 167 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 168 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 169 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 170 but-2-enyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 171 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 172 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 173 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 174 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 175 butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 176 tert-butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 177 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 178 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 179 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 180 but-2-enyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 181 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 182 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 183 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 184 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 185 butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 186 tert-butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 187 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 188 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 189 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 190 but-2-enyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 191 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 192 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 193 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 194 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 195 butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 196 tert-butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 197 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 198 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 199 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 200 but-2-enyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 201 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 202 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 203 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 204 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 205 butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 206 tert-butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 207 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 208 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 209 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 210 but-2-enyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 211 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 212 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 213 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 214 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 215 butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 216 tert-butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 217 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 218 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 219 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 220 but-2-enyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 221 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 222 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 223 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 224 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 225 butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 226 tert-butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 227 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 228 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 229 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 230 but-2-enyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 231 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 232 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 233 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 234 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 235 butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 236 tert-butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 237 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 238 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 239 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 240 but-2-enyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 241 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 242 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 243 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 244 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 245 butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 246 tert-butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 247 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 248 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 249 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 250 but-2-enyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 251 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 252 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 253 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 254 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 255 butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 256 tert-butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 257 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 258 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 259 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 260 but-2-enyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 261 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 262 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 263 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 264 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 265 butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 266 tert-butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 267 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 268 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 269 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 270 but-2-enyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 271 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 272 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 273 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 274 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 275 butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 276 tert-butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 277 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 278 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 279 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 280 but-2-enyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 281 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 282 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 283 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 284 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 285 butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 286 tert-butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 287 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 288 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 289 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 290 but-2-enyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 291 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 292 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 293 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 294 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 295 butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 296 tert-butyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 297 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 298 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 299 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 300 but-2-enyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl

Compounds which comprise the first aspect of Category II analogs can be prepared by the procedure outlined herein below in Scheme III.

EXAMPLE 4 2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide (20)

3-Cyclopropyl-2-(2-nitro-benzenesulfonylamino)-propionic acid can be prepared as follows: To a solution of 2-amino-3-cyclopropyl propionic acid (1.0 g, 7.74 mmol) and triethyl amine (2.3 g, 10.4 mmol) in THF/H₂O (10 ml/20 mL) is added 2-nirtobenzenesulfonyl chloride (2.3 g, 10.4 mmol) in portions at 0° C. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 15 hours and the THF is removed in vacuo. The residual aqueous layer is then acidified with conc. HCl and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined ethyl acetate extracts are dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo to afford 2.5 g of the N-protected amino acid in purity suitable for direct use. This procedure is suitable for other amino acids which are used as a source of R¹ units. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 8.10-8.19 (m, 1H), 7.76-7.90 (m, 3H), 4.10-4.18 (m, 1H), 1.71-1.84 (m, 1H), 1.56-1.67 (m, 1H), 0.73-0.88 (m, 1H), 0.28-0.50 (m, 2H), 0.00-0.20 (m, 2H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 173.56, 148.10, 134.10, 133.86, 132.52, 130.42, 124.80, 57.10, 37.83, 7.23, 4.04, 3.48; MS (ESMS) m/z 315.0 (M+H)⁺.

Preparation of 2-[3-cyclopropyl-2-(2-nitro-benzenesulfonylamino)-propionylamino]-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (12): To a solution of cyclopropyl-2-(2-nitro-benzenesulfonylamino)-propionic acid (7.74 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) are added 2-(S)-amino-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (3.1 g, 11.7 mmol), N-methylmorpholine (4.67 g, 46.27 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (17.76 mmol) and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (1.93 g, 10.07 mmol) consecutively. The resulting mixture is stirred for 4 hours, quenched with aqueous NH₄Cl and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined extracts are dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified over silica gel (hexanes/ethyl acetate, 1:1) to afford 3.46 g (85% yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) □ 8.04 (dd, J=7.7, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.42-7.68 (m, 9H), 7.24 (dd, J=8.4, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 6.94 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 6.20 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 1H), 4.84-4.96 (m, 1H), 3.98-4.07 (m, 1H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 3.29 (dd, J=14.0, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 3.14 (dd, J=14.0, 7.4 Hz, 1H), 1.62-1.72 (m, 1H), 1.23-1.42 (m, 1H), 0.02-0.40 (m, 3H), −0.14-−0.02(, 2H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) □ 171.74, 170.45, 147.91, 134.02, 133.73, 133.61, 133.18, 132.70, 131.07, 128.55, 128.32, 127.89, 127.41, 126.54, 126.12, 125.76, 58.59, 53.56, 52.74, 38.34, 37.55, 6.86, 4.38; MS (ESMS) m/z 526.1 (M+H)⁺.

Preparation of 2-[3-cyclopropylmethyl-4-(2-nitro-benzenesulfonyl)-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl]-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (13): To a solution of 2-[3-cyclopropyl-2-(2-nitro-benzenesulfonylamino)-propionylamino]-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 12, (3.46 g, 6.59 mmol) and 1,2-dibromoethane (12.38 g, 65.9 mmol) in DMF (40 mL) is added potassium carbonate (9.10 g, 65.8 mmol). The reaction mixture is stirred for 15 hours at 65° C., cooled and quenched with aqueous NH₄Cl solution. The mixture is then extracted several times with EtOAc and the combined extracts dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting residue is purified over silica gel (hexanes/EtOAc, 1:2) to afford 3.57 g (98% yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 8.01-8.08 (m, 1H), 7.58-7.84 (m, 7H), 7.43-7.52 (m, 2H), 7.35 (dd, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 5.38 (dd, J=11.7, 4.8 Hz, 1H), 4.33-4.44 (m, 1H), 3.76-3.88 (m, 1H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.21-3.66 (m, 4H), 2.99-3.14 (m, 1H), 1.40-1.53 (m, 1H), 1.02-1.16 (m, 1H), −0.14-−0.02 (m, 3H), −0.34-−0.20 (m, 2H); MS (ESMS) m/z 552.2 (M+H)⁺.

Preparation of 2-(3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (14): To a solution of 2-[3-cyclopropylmethyl-4-(2-nitro-benzene-sulfonyl)-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl]-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 13, (3.56 g, 6.46 mmol) and 4-mercaptophenol (4.07 g, 32.3 mmol) in CH₃CN (50 mL) is added potassium carbonate (8.91 g, 64.6 mmol). The reaction mixture is stirred for 15 hours, quenched with 10% NaHCO₃ solution and extracted several times with EtOAc. The combined extracts are dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo to yielding a bright yellow oil which is purified over silica gel (hexanes/EtOAc, 1:1 to EtOAc/MeOH, 10:1) to afford 2.10 g (89% yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 7.76-7.86 (m, 3H), 7.71 (s, 1H), 7.37-7.52 (m, 3H), 5.27 (dd, J=11.7, 4.8 Hz, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.25-3.60 (m, 4H), 2.88-3.06 (m, 2H), 2.62-2.75 (m, 1H), 1.56-1.68 (m, 1H), 1.16-1.29 (m, 1H), 0.01-0.25 (m, 3H), −0.19-−0.08 (m, 2H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, MeOD) □ 171.55, 171.01 m 134.88, 133.78, 132.74, 128.15, 127.52, 127.45, 127.11, 126.11, 125.64, 59.42, 58.92, 51.78, 46.77, 41.23, 36.59, 33.97, 6.63, 3.72, 3.46; MS (ESMS) m/z 367.2 (M+H)⁺.

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-tert-Butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (15): To a solution of 2-(3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 14, (528 mg, 1.44 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (5.0 mL) are added 2-(R)-tert-butoxycarbonyl-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionic acid (489 mg, 1.67 mmol), benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-pyrrolidinol-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (951 mg, 1.83 mmol) and triethyl amine (174 mg, 1.72 mmol). The reaction mixture is stirred for 10 hours, quenched with 10% NaHCO₃ aqueous solution and extracted several times with EtOAc. The combined extracts are dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to a crude residue which is purified over silica gel (silica gel, hexanes/ethyl acetate, 1:1) to afford 651 mg (71% yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃, Rotamers) □ 7.66-7.85 (m, 3H), 7.55 (s, 1H), 7.39-7.53 (m, 2H), 7.28-7.38 (m, 1H), 7.04-7.18 (m, 2H), 6.86-7.01 (m, 2H), 5.63 (dd, J=11.4, 5.4 Hz, 0.5H), 5.47 (dd, J=11.4, 5.4 Hz, 0.5H), 5.28-5.38 (m, 0.5H), 4.82-4.98 (m, 1H), 4.56-4.80 (m, 1H), 4.30-4.43 (m, 0.5H), 3.75-3.91 (m, 4H), 3.50-3.62 (m, 1H), 2.92-3.36 (m, 4H), 2.64-2.88 (m, 2H), 1.38 (s, 5H), 1.35 (s, 4H), 0.91-1.18 (m, 2H), −0.64-0.17 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃, Rotamers) □ 170.69, 170.54, 169.37, 168.55, 167.10, 155.09, 154.84, 134.05, 133.71, 133.53, 133.49, 132.60, 132.41, 131.79, 131.28, 131.17, 130.89, 130.79, 128.74, 128.66, 127.94, 127.86, 127.73, 127.63, 127.50, 127.03, 126.63, 126.57, 126.14, 115.94, 115.66, 115.56, 115.28, 80.34, 79.87, 58.82, 57.26, 56.42, 52.76, 51.66, 51.32, 44.08, 42.79, 41.36, 39.92, 38.75, 37.43, 36.72, 36.58, 34.92, 34.54, 28.44, 7.12, 4.74, 4.69, 4.34, 4.31; MS (ESMS) m/z 632.2 (M+H)⁺.

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-tert-Butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid (16): To a solution of 2-{4-[2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 15, (531 mg, 0.842 mmol) in a mixture of THF (5 mL)/CH₃OH (1 mL)/H₂O (2 mL) is added LiOH (100 mg, 4.17 mmol). The reaction mixture is stirred for 4 hours, acidified with 1N HCl to pH 3 and extracted several times with EtOAc. The combined extracts are dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated in vacuo and dried under high vacuum to give the free acid in quantitative yield, which is used directly without further purification. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 7.72-7.87 (m, 3H), 7.68 (s, 1H), 7.37-7.53 (m, 3H), 7.12-7.28 (m, 2H), 6.99-7.06 (m, 2H), 5.54-5.66 (m, 1H), 4.52-4.80 (m, 1.5H), 3.82-4.38 (m, 1.5H), 3.18-3.64 (m, 4H), 2.70-3.02 (m, 3H), 0.80-1.43 (m, 11H), −0.78-0.10 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 171.68, 171.58, 170.23, 169.29, 167.86, 163.70, 156.08, 134.69, 134.57, 133.71, 133.14, 132.70, 131.26, 131.15, 130.73, 130.64, 128.19, 128.12, 127.55, 127.38, 127.29, 127.07, 126.12, 125.64, 79.61, 79.34, 58.68, 57.04, 56.18, 52.13, 51.65, 43.21, 42.29, 41.29, 38.61, 37.32, 37.21, 36.27, 34.23, 33.93, 27.50, 27.41, 6.45, 3.92, 3.66, 3.33; MS (ESMS) m/z 618.2 (M+H)⁺.

Preparation of [2-[2-cyclopropylmethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-3-oxo-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (17): To a solution of 2-{4-[2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid, 16, (114 mg, 0.18 mmol)) in DMF (2 mL) are added methylamine (2M, 0.11 mL, 0.22 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (53 mg, 0.39 mmol), N-methylmorpholine (63 mg, 0.62 mmol) and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (41 mg, 0.21 mmol) consecutively. The reaction mixture is stirred for 3 hours, quenched with aqueous NH₄Cl and extracted several times with ethyl acetate. The combined extracts are dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to a residue, which is purified over silica gel (hexanes/ethyl acetate, 1:4) to afford 108 mg (93% yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 7.73-7.86 (m, 3H), 7.70 (s, 1H), 7.38-7.52 (m, 3H), 7.14-7.30 (m, 2H), 6.91-7.04 (m, 2H), 5.54-5.72 (m, 1H), 4.50-4.78 (m, 2H), 4.28-4.40 (m, 0.3H), 4.03-4.15 (m, 0.7H), 3.72-3.81 (m, 0.3H), 3.58-3.68 (m, 0.3H), 3.42-3.53 (m, 2H), 3.12-3.32 (m, 2H), 2.70-3.00 (m, 6H), 1.41 (s, 5H), 1.34 (s, 4H), 0.66-1.30 (m, 2H), −0.60-−0.12 (m, 4.3H), −0.80-−0.68 (m, 0.7H); MS (ESMS) m/z 631.3 (M+H)+

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide (18): [2-[2-cyclopropylmethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-3-oxo-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester, 17, (105 mg, 0.16 mmol) is dissolved into a mixture of TFA/anisole/CH₂Cl₂ (45:5:50, 2 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred for 3 minutes, concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by reverse phase HPLC to afford the TFA salt of the desired compound. MS (ESMS) m/z 531.2 (M+H)⁺.

Preparation of {1-[2-[2-cyclopropylmethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-3-oxo-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethylcarbamoyl]-1-methyl-ethyl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (19): To a solution of 2-{4-[2-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide, 18, (44 mg, 0.068 mmol) in DMF (1 mL) are added 2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-2-methyl-propionic acid (44 mg, 0.079 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (20 mg, 0.148 mmol), N-methylmorpholine (41 mg, 0.41 mmol) and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (16 mg, 0.083 mmol) consecutively. The reaction mixture is stirred for 3 hours, quenched with aqueous NH₄Cl and extracted several times with ethyl acetate. The combined extracts are dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to a residue which is purified over silica gel (CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH, 13:1) to afford 45 mg (93% yield) of the desired product. MS (ESMS) m/z 716.3 (M+H)⁺.

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-(2-amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide (20). {1-[2-[2-cyclopropylmethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-3-oxo-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethylcarbamoyl]-1-methyl-ethyl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester, 19, (45 mg, 0.063 mmol) is dissolved into a mixture of TFA/anisole/CH₂Cl₂ (45:5:50, 1 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred for 1 hour, concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by reverse phase HPLC purification to afford the TFA salt of the desired compound. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 7.65-7.84 (m, 4H), 7.36-7.52 (m, 3H), 7.15-7.31 (m, 2H), 6.90-7.02 (m, 2H), 5.73 (dd, J=11.7, 5.4 Hz, 0.66H), 5.60 (dd, J=11.4, 5.4 Hz, 0.33H), 5.01-5.14 (m, 0.66H), 4.65-4.75 (m, 0.33H), 4.24-4.36 (m, 0.33H), 4.01-4.14 (m, 0.66H), 3.82-3.98 (m, 0.66H), 3.14-3.68 (m, 5H), 2.73-3.10 (m, 6H), 1.25-1.60 (m, 7H), 0.78-0.95 (m, 1H), −0.56-−0.15 (m, 4H), −0.76-−0.62 (m, 1H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 171.66, 171.04, 170.86, 170.34, 169.54, 169.29, 167.78, 163.81, 160.57, 134.36, 133.70, 132.74, 132.21, 131.22, 131.11, 130.89, 130.78, 128.16, 127.69, 127.51, 127.31, 127.10, 126.17, 125.70, 115.47, 115.14, 114.85, 58.73, 56.98, 56.84, 56.42, 56.32, 51.61, 50.96, 48.75, 42.12, 41.62, 37.86, 37.47, 37.25, 36.46, 36.36, 34.57, 34.35, 25.32, 23.05, 22.91, 22.73, 6.56, 3.96, 3.73, 3.40; MS (ESMS) m/z 616.2 (M+H)⁺.

The above example wherein 3-cyclopropyl-2-(S)-(2-nitro-benzenesulonylamino)-propionic acid is used for the preparation of compound 12, provides one iteration of the analogs encompassed by the first aspect of Category II. Other examples encompassed within the first aspect of Category II, wherein R¹ comprises other units, can be suitably prepared by substituting the appropriate starting material in place of 3-cyclopropyl-2-(S)-(2-nitro-benzenesulonylamino)-propionic acid, for example, cyclopropyl-2-(S)-(nitro-benzene-sulonylamino)-acetic acid, 2-(S)-(2-nitro-benzenesulonylamino)-butyric acid, and the like. The formulator may also choose to prepare rings which comprise the opposite stereochemistry, for example, those derived from the use of 3-cyclopropyl-2-(R)-(2-nitro-benzenesulonylamino)-propionic acid or, as a further iteration, the formulator may wish to provide a racemic mixture, for example, an analog derived from, 3-cyclopropyl-2-(R,S)-(2-nitro-benzenesulonylamino)-propionic acid.

Other iterations of this aspect of the present invention, for example, wherein R^(7a) is varied, can be prepared by the procedure outlined herein below in Scheme IV beginning with compounds such as intermediate 16.

The following are non-limiting examples of compounds which comprise the first aspect of Category II according to the present invention.

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-(2-fluoroethyl)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 8.40-8.61 (m, 0.6H), 7.53-7.92 (m, 4H), 7.38-7.57 (m, 3H), 7.15-7.36 (m, 2H), 6.90-7.10 (m, 2H), 5.60-5.87 (m, 1H), 5.46-5.58 (m, 0.4H), 5.01-5.15 (m, 0.6H), 4.21-4.78 (m, 3H), 3.88-4.15 (m, 1H), 3.16-3.76 (m, 7H), 2.80-3.13 (m, 2H), 1.35-1.59 (m, 6H), 0.76-1.27 (m, 2H), −0.76-−0.09 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 173.62, 172.82, 172.60, 172.41, 171.92, 171.13, 170.90, 169.45, 165.45, 165.38, 162.81, 162.21, 162.15, 135.84, 135.26, 134.33, 134.22, 134.18, 133.86, 133.84, 132.76, 132.65, 132.39, 132.29, 129.74, 129.26, 129.12, 129.06, 128.86, 128.69, 128.61, 127.73, 127.26, 117.04, 116.68, 116.40, 84.51, 82.29, 60.39, 58.50, 58.05, 57.85, 53.24, 52.55, 43.70, 43.32, 41.66, 41.38, 39.50, 38.92, 38.84, 38.08, 37.90, 36.24, 36.11, 24.45, 24.27, 24.19, 8.20, 8.10, 5.49, 5.29, 4.90; MS (ESMS) m/z 648.9 (M+H)⁺.

3-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-4-naphthalen-2-yl-butyramide. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) 6.80˜7.80 (m, 1H), 5.06 (m, 2H), 4.58 (m, 1H), 2.50˜3.50 (m, 13H), 1.54 (m, 6H), 0.91(m, 2H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 mHz) 171.90, 171.79, 169.93, 168.70, 134.59, 133.58, 132.62, 131.43, 131.22, 128.45, 127.90, 127.56, 127.26, 126.61, 126.08, 115.80, 115.51, 57.61, 56.03, 50.70, 40.98, 38.69, 38.01, 37.62, 34.05, 26.54, 24.42, 24.18, 23.21, 18.73, 13.50; MS (ES-MS) m/z 618 (M+1).

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz) 7.81-7.70, m, 4H, 7.48-7.39, m, 3H, 7.25, m, 2H, 6.98, m, 2H, 5.67-5.56, m, 1H, 5.06, m, 0.75H, 4.57, m, 0.75H, 4.23-3.96, m, 1H, 3.82-3.63, m, 1.25H; 3.44-3.16, m, 4H, 3.00-2.76, m, 6.5H, 1.54, s, 3H, 1.47, s, 3H, 1.35-0.92, m, 2.25H, 0.41-0.27, m, 5H. ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 300 mHz) 171.68, 171.05, 170.13, 169.33, 160.58, 134.28, 133.75, 132.82, 132.43, 131.20, 131.10, 128.12, 127.57, 127.33, 127.05, 126.20, 125.69, 115.16, 114.88, 58.43, 56.93, 56.11, 56.01, 50.90, 41.72, 41.43, 36.57, 34.49, 34.14, 25.28, 23.04, 22.89, 22.70, 18.59, 18.36, 12.63. MS(ESI) m/e 604 [M+1).

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-fluoroethyl)-propionamide trifluoroacetate. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.28 (m, 6H), 7.03 (m, 2H), 5.53 (m, 1H), 5.08 (t, 1H, J=7.8 Hz), 4.66 (t, 1H, J=6.6 Hz), 4.53 (m, 1H), 4.37 (m, 1H), 3.98 (m, 1H), 3.65-3.00 (m, 9H), 1.55 (s, 3H), 1.45 (s, 3H), 1.29 (m, 2H), 0.80 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 173.5, 172.5, 172.0, 171.1, 165.4, 163.0, 162.5, 162.2, 137.1, 134.3, 134.1, 133.9, 132.8, 132.7, 132.2, 130.1, 117.0, 116.7, 116.5, 84.5, 82.3, 60.2, 58.5, 58.1, 57.8, 57.7, 53.1, 52.6, 43.4, 43.1, 41.6, 41.3, 39.7, 38.8, 38.1, 36.9, 36.0, 35.5, 35.4, 24.6, 24.3, 20.5, 20.2, 14.6; MS m/z (ESI): 620 (M+H, 100), 622 (M+2+H, 37).

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-(S)-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-isopropyl-3-(S)-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) 7.63-7.53 (m, 3H) 7.43 (s, 1H) 7.33-7.23 (m, 3H), 7.20-7.13 (m, 2H), 7.00-6.87 (m, 2H) 6.84-6.76 (m, 1H) 6.68 (t, 1H, J=8.29 Hz) 5.78 (d, 1H, J=7.25 Hz) 5.68 (d, 1H, J=7.70 Hz) 5.24-5.04 (m, 2H) 4.92-4.76 (m, 2H) 4.69 (t, 1H, J=5.90 Hz) 4.22-4.10 (m, 1H) 3.95-3.78 (m, 2H) 3.64 (t, 2H, J=6.75 Hz) 3.54-3.46 (m, 2H) 2.70 (d, 2H, J=6.98 Hz) 1.52 (s, 6H) 1.04-0.92 (m, 3H) 0.91 (d, 4H, J=2.654 Hz) MS (ESI) m/z 625 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(4-isopropoxy-phenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 0.76 (m, 3H), 1.29 (m, 6H, CH(CH₃)₂), 1.46, 1.562 (2 singlets, 6H, NH₂C(CH₃)₂C(O), rotamers), 2.73, 2.80 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 3.06 (m, 5H), 3.33 (m, 4H), 3.63 (m, 1H), 5.10 (m, 2H), 5.48 (m, 1H), 6.83 (m, 2H), 7.02 (m, 2H), 7.14 (m, 2H), 7.30 (m, 1H); ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 45.26; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 132.8, 132.7, 132.4, 131.4, 119.0, 117.3, 116.7, 116.5, 111.8, 71.3, 61.3, 60.0, 57.9, 57.6, 43.3, 43.0, 38.5, 38.0, 35.8, 35.1, 31.5, 39.9, 26.7, 25.3, 22.8, 20.2, 14.6; MS m/e 612 (M+1).

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 0.78 (m, 3H), 1.24 (m, 2H), 1.462, 1.56 (2 singlets, 6H, NH₂C(CH₃)₂C(O), rotamers), 2.73, 2.81 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 3.00 (m, 5H), 3.17 (m, 3H), 3.62 (m, 1H), 3.963 (m, 1H), 4.65 (m, 1H), 5.06 (m, 3H), 5.47 (m, 1H), 6.93 (m, 2H), 7.03 (m, 2H), 7.162 (m, 2H), 7.03 (m, 3H), 7.40 (m, 4H); ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 45.31; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 132.8, 131.4, 129.9, 129.3, 128.9, 116.7, 116.5, 116.3, 71.4, 61.3, 58.0, 57.6, 52.1, 43.4, 43.0, 38.5, 35.8, 35.2, 31.5, 26.7, 25.3, 20.2, 14.6; MS m/e 660 (M+1).

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-butyramide TFA. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.14 (m, 6H), 6.88 (m, 2H), 5.00 (m, 1H), 4.00 (m, 1H), 3.46 (m, 1H), 3.25 (m, 2H), 2.93 (m, 4H), 2.58, 2.53 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.42 (m, 2H), 1.94 (m, 2H), 1.56 (m, 2H), 1.42, 1.39, 1.32, 1.28 (4 singlets, 6H, NH₂C(CH₃)₂C(O), rotamers), 1.05 (m, 2H), 0.76 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 173.2, 173.0, 172.0, 171.4, 165.4, 162.2, 141.1, 134.2, 133.5, 132.8, 132.7, 131.5, 130.0, 116.8, 116.5, 113.3, 58.5, 57.5, 57.3, 53.2, 52.5, 43.9, 42.3, 38.2, 36.8, 35.8, 33.0, 31.3, 26.7, 24.6, 24.3, 20.7, 14.5; MS m/z (ESI): 602 (M+H, 100), 604 (M+2+H, 37).

A second aspect of Category II melanocortin receptor ligands according to the present invention comprise the 2-oxo-3-hydrocarbyl-piperazines having the general scaffold with the formula:

wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl as defined herein above and non-limiting examples of R¹, R^(7a), R⁸ and Q are provided herein below in Table IV. THQ-3-yl represents 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-3-yl. TABLE IV No. R¹ Q R^(7a) R⁸ 300 methyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 301 ethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 302 propyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 303 iso-propyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 304 cyclopropyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 305 cyclopropylmethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 306 allyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 307 methyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 308 ethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 309 propyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 310 iso-propyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 311 cyclopropyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 312 cyclopropylmethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 313 allyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 314 methyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 315 ethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 316 propyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 317 iso-propyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 318 cyclopropyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 319 cyclopropylmethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 320 allyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 321 methyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 322 ethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 323 propyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 324 iso-propyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 325 cyclopropyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 326 cyclopropylmethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 327 allyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 328 methyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 329 ethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 330 propyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 331 iso-propyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 332 cyclopropyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 333 cyclopropylmethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 334 allyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 335 methyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 336 ethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 337 propyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 338 iso-propyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 339 cyclopropyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 340 cyclopropylmethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 341 allyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 342 methyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 343 ethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 344 propyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 345 iso-propyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 346 cyclopropyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 347 cyclopropylmethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 348 allyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 349 methyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 350 ethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 351 propyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 352 iso-propyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 353 cyclopropyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 354 cyclopropylmethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 355 allyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 356 methyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 357 ethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 358 propyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 359 iso-propyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 360 cyclopropyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 361 cyclopropylmethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 362 allyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 363 methyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 364 ethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 365 propyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 366 iso-propyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 367 cyclopropyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 368 cyclopropylmethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 369 allyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 370 methyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 371 ethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 372 propyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 373 iso-propyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 374 cyclopropyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 375 cyclopropylmethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 376 allyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 377 methyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 378 ethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 379 propyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 380 iso-propyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 381 cyclopropyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 382 cyclopropylmethly 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 383 allyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 384 methyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 385 ethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 386 propyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 387 iso-propyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 388 cyclopropyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 389 cyclopropylmethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 390 allyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 391 methyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 392 ethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 393 propyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 394 iso-propyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 395 cyclopropyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 396 cyclopropylmethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 397 allyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 398 methyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 399 ethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 400 propyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 401 iso-propyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 402 cyclopropyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 403 cyclopropylmethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 404 allyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 405 methyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 406 ethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 407 propyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 410 iso-propyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 411 cyclopropyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 412 cyclopropylmethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 413 allyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 414 methyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 415 ethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 416 propyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 417 iso-propyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 418 cyclopropyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 419 cyclopropylmethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 420 allyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 421 methyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 422 ethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 423 propyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 424 iso-propyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 425 cyclopropyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 426 cyclopropylmethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 427 allyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl

The compounds which comprise the second aspect of Category II can be suitably prepared according to Scheme V below from final analogs which comprise Category I, for example, utilizing as starting materials compounds such as 18.

EXAMPLE 5 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid [2-[2-cyclopropylmethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide (23)

Preparation of 3-[2-[2-cyclopropylmehtyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthylen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenxyl)-2-oxo-ethylcarbamoyl]-3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinoline-2-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (22): To a solution of 2-{4-[2-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide, 18, (44 mg, 0.068 mmol) in DMF (1 mL) are added 3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinoline-2,3-dicarboxylic acid 2-tert-butyl ester (21 mg, 0.079 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzo-triazole (20 mg, 0.148 mmol), N-methylmorpholine (41 mg, 0.41 mmol) and 1-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (16 mg, 0.083 mmol) consecutively. The reaction mixture is stirred for 3 hours, quenched with aqueous NH₄Cl and extracted several times with ethyl acetate. The combined extracts are dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to a residue, which is purified over silica gel (CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH, 13:1) to afford the desired product.

Preparation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid [2-[2-cyclopropyl-methyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide (23): 3-[2-[2-cyclopropylmehtyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthylen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethylcarbamoyl]-3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinoline-2-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, 22, (50 mg, 0.064 mmol) is dissolved into a mixture of TFA/anisole/CH₂Cl₂ (45:5:50, 1 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred for 1 hour, concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by reverse phase HPLC purification to afford the TFA salt of the desired compound.

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (1R-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[1-methylcarbamoyl-2S-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-oxo-2S-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-2-oxo-ethyl)-amide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz) □ 7.60 (d, 2H, J=7.95 Hz) 7.46 (d, 2H, J=7.87 Hz) 7.34-7.18 (m, 2H) 7.08-6.94(m, 2H) 5.58 (q, 1H, J=5.61 Hz) 5.13 (t, 1H, J=7.76 Hz) 4.69 (t, 1H, J=6.58 Hz) 4.23 (t, 1H, J=6.69 Hz) 4.10-3.88 (m, 2H) 3.71-3.44 (m, 2H) 3.23-2.83 (m, 4H) 2.74 (s, 3H) 2.41-2.25 (m, 2H) 2.09-1.68 (m, 6H) 1.29-1.08 (m, 2H) 0.84-0.63 (m, 3H) MS (ESI) m/z 634 (M+H⁺, 100).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[1-allylcarbamoyl-2S-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl]-3-oxo-2S-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1R-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz) □ 7.40-6.92 (m, 8H), 5.92-5.73 (m, 1H), 5.56-5.38 (m, 2H), 5.25-4.50 (m, 3H), 4.28-2.84 (m, 1H), 2.45-2.25 (m, 2H), 2.12-1.69 (m, 4H), 1.51-0.72 (m, 7H), MS (ESI) m/z 626 (M+H⁺, 100).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2S-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-phenylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-3-oxo-2S-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1R-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz) □ 8.13-6.82 (m, 13H) 5.12-4.62 (m, 2H) 4.50-2.68 (m, 12H) 2.30-1.48 (m, 4H) 1.35-0.58 (m, 8H) MS (ESI) m/z 684 (M+H⁺, 100).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2S-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-ethylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-3-oxo-2S-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1 S-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz) □ 7.42-6.93 (m, 8H) 5.62-5.31 (m, 1H) 5.13 (t, 1H, J=7.77 Hz) 4.80-3.88 (m, 2H) 3.71-2.76 (m, 10H) 2.51-1.55 (m, 8H) 1.40-0.65 (m, 8H) MS (ESI) m/z 614 (M+H⁺, 100).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-[4-(1-allylcarbamoyl-2S-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-3-oxo-2S-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-1R-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz) □ 5.99-5.50 (m, 3H) 5.28-4.50 (m, 3H) 4.28-2.72 (m, 13H) 2.41-1.62 (m, 4H) 1.20 (t, 2H, J=7.102 Hz) 1.06-0.82 (m, 2H) 0.70-0.21 (m, 3H) (ESI) m/z 642 (M+H⁺, 100).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1R-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-[4S-(2-naphthalen-2-yl-1-phenylcarbamoyl-ethyl)-3-oxo-2S-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD,300 MHz) □ 7.92-6.88 (M, 16H) 5.90-5.65 (m, 2H) 5.28-4.51(m, 5H) 4.28-2.78(m, 7H) 2.42-2.20 (m, 2H) 2.08-1.70 (m, 4H) 1.48-0.23 (m, 5H) (ESI) m/z 678 (M+H⁺, 100).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-isopropoxy-phenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-2-oxo-ethyl)-amide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 0.789 (m, 3H), 1.768 (m, 6H, CH(CH₃)₂), 1.789 (m, 1H), 1.974 (m, 2H), 2.333 (m, 2H), □ 2.743, 2.805 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 3.001 (m, 3H), 3.173 (m, 3H), 3.340 (m, 2H), 3.659 (m, 1H), 4.024 (m, 1H), 4.232 (m, 1H), 4.560 (m, 1H), 4.679 (m, 1H), 5.135 (t, 1H), 5.473 (m, 1H), 6.826 (m, 2H), 7.039 (m, 2H), 7.136 (m, 2H), 7.316 (m, 1H); ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 45.392; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 165.4, 163.6, 163.1, 162.2, 158.7, 133.9, 133.6, 132.8, 132.7, 132.5, 132.4, 131.5, 131.4, 129.8, 120.5, 117.3, 117.1, 116.7, 116.4, 71.3, 61.3, 57.9, 57.6, 52.1, 43.3, 43.0, 38.5, 36.9, 35.8, 35.3, 35.2, 31.5, 26.7, 25.3, 22.8, 20.4, 20.2, 14.6; MS m/e 724 (M+1).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 0.791 (m, 3H), 1.276 (m, 2H), 1.802 (m, 1H), 1.963 (m, 2H), 2.369 (m, 1H), 2.741, 2.803 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 3.029 (m, 3H), 3.147 (m, 3H), 3.454 (m, 1H), 3.653 (m, 1H), 4.228 (m, 1H), 5.060 (m, 3H), 5.463 (m, 1H), 6.949 (m, 2H), 7.045 (m, 2H), 7.179 (m, 3H), 7.329 (m, 3H), 7.429 (m, 3H); ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 45.451; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 165.5, 162.2, 159.7, 139.1, 133.9, 133.6, 132.8, 132.7, 132.5, 132.4, 131.6, 131.5, 130.4, 129.9, 129.3, 128.9, 117.0, 116.8, 116.5, 116.4, 71.4, 61.4, 60.1, 58.5, 58.1, 57.6, 52.7, 52.1, 43.4, 43.0, 38.5, 35.8, 35.1, 31.5, 26.7, 25.3, 20.4, 20.2, 14.6; MS m/e 673 (M+1).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-[4-(1-ethylcarbamoyl-2S-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-3-oxo-2S-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-1R-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz) □ 7.79-6.89 (m, 11H) 5.69-5.45 (m, 1H) 5.09 (t, 1H, J=7.87 Hz) 4.57 (t, 1H, J=6.67 Hz) 4.28-2.70 (m, 13H) 2.08-1.62 (m, 4H) 1.20-0.16 (m, 10H) (ESI) m/z 630 (M+H⁺, 100).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2-fluoroethylcarbamoyl)-ethyl]-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.17 (m, 6H), 6.92 (m, 2H), 5.38 (m, 1H), 5.01 (t, 1H, J=7.9 Hz), 4.57 (t, 1H, J=6.7 Hz), 4.44 (m, 1H), 4.26 (m, 1H), 4.10 (m, 1H), 3.88 (m, 1H), 3.43-2.75 (m, 1H), 2.22 (m, 1H), 1.89-1.61 (m, 3H), 1.15 (m, 2H), 0.69 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 172.3, 172.1, 171.9, 171.7, 171.0, 169.7, 169.5, 165.5, 162.9, 162.2, 137.2, 134.2, 133.9, 133.6, 132.8, 132.7, 132.5, 132.3, 132.2, 130.0, 117.1, 116.8, 116.5, 84.6, 82.4, 61.3, 60.2, 58.1, 57.9, 57.7, 52.7, 52.1, 47.8, 43.5, 43.0, 41.6, 41.3, 39.7, 39.3, 38.5, 37.0, 35.9, 35.3, 31.6, 25.3, 20.4, 20.2, 14.6; MS m/z (ESI): 632 (M+H, 100), 634 (M+2+H, 37).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, MeOD, Rotamers) □ 7.40-4.49 (m, 2H), 7.17-7.35 (m, 3H), 6.92-7.10 (m, 2H), 5.39-5.55 (m, 1H), 5.08-5.20 (m, 1H), 4.65-4.74 (m, 1H), 4.15-4.30 (m, 1H), 3.99-4.12 (m, 1H), 3.42-3.69 (m, 1H), 2.89-3.40 (m, 7H), 2.81 (s, 0.6H), 2.74 (s, 2.4H), 2.26-2.42 (m, 1H), 1.69-2.10 (m, 3H), 1.15-1.62 (m, 2H), 0.69-1.13 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) □ 171.00, 171.88, 171.82, 171.68, 170.92, 169.80, 169.52, 169.40, 165.47, 162.78, 162.30, 162.23, 139.44, 133.85, 133.81, 133.66, 132.82, 132.71, 132.62, 132.49, 132.38, 132.24, 132.00, 117.03, 116.79, 116.51, 61.32, 60.05, 57.59, 57.55, 52.11, 52.68, 52.11, 47.76, 43.34, 42.98, 42.90, 39.53, 39.34, 38.54, 37.08, 35.96, 35.11, 34.85, 31.59, 26.82, 25.29, 20.45, 20.25, 14.66; (ESMS) m/z 634.2, 636.2, 638.2 (M+H)⁺, Cl₂ isotope pattern.

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, MeOD, Rotamers) □ 7.40-4.49 (m, 2H), 7.17-7.35 (m, 3H), 6.92-7.10 (m, 2H), 5.39-5.55 (m, 1H), 5.08-5.20 (m, 1H), 4.65-4.74 (m, 1H), 4.15-4.30 (m, 1H), 3.99-4.12 (m, 1H), 3.42-3.69 (m, 1H), 2.89-3.40 (m, 7H), 2.81 (s, 0.6H), 2.74 (s, 2.4H), 2.26-2.42 (m, 1H), 1.69-2.10 (m, 3H), 1.15-1.62 (m, 2H), 0.69-1.13 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) □ 171.00, 171.88, 171.82, 171.68, 170.92, 169.80, 169.52, 169.40, 165.47, 162.78, 162.30, 162.23, 139.44, 133.85, 133.81, 133.66, 132.82, 132.71, 132.62, 132.49, 132.38, 132.24, 132.00, 117.03, 116.79, 116.51, 61.32, 60.05, 57.59, 57.55, 52.11, 52.68, 52.11, 47.76, 43.34, 42.98, 42.90, 39.53, 39.34, 38.54, 37.08, 35.96, 35.11, 34.85, 31.59, 26.82, 25.29, 20.45, 20.25, 14.66; (ESMS) m/z 634.2, 636.2, 638.2 (M+H)⁺, Cl₂ isotope pattern.

The following are non-limiting examples of compounds encompassed by the second aspect of Category II.

-   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-methyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-allyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-iso-propyl-4-(1-methyl-carbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-methyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-4-chlorophenyl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-4-chlorophenyl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-allyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-4-chlorophenyl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-iso-propyl-4-(1-methyl-carbamoyl-4-chlorophenyl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-methyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-3,4-dichlorophenyl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-3,4-dichlorophenyl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-allyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-3,4-dichlorophenyl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-iso-propyl-4-(1-methyl-carbamoyl-3,4-dichlorophenyl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-methyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-allyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-iso-propyl-4-(1-methyl-carbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-methyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-4-chlorophenyl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-4-chlorophenyl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-allyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-4-chlorophenyl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-iso-propyl-4-(1-methyl-carbamoyl-4-chlorophenyl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-methyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-3,4-dichlorophenyl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-3,4-dichlorophenyl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-allyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-3,4-dichlorophenyl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide;     and -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     [2-[2-iso-propyl-4-(1-methyl-carbamoyl-3,4-dichlorophenyl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide.

The following are examples of compounds wherein R^(7a) is hydrogen:

1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-[4-(2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 7.74-7.88 (m, 3H), 7.68 (s, 1H), 7.18-7.54 (m, 11H), 5.04-5.28 (m, 1H), 4.78-4.88 (m, 1H), 4.31-4.47 (m, 2H), 3.88-4.25 (m, 3H), 3.31-3.66 (m, 2H), 2.70-3.30 (m, 8H), 0.92-1.86 (m, 4H), 0.76-0.88 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, MeOD, Rotamers)

171.62, 171.43, 170.49, 169.64, 169.30, 168.78, 137.81, 137.65, 136.72, 136.15, 135.42, 135.35, 134.70, 134.51, 134.22, 132.70, 132.42, 132.05, 131.91, 130.35, 130.10, 129.77, 129.64, 129.54, 129.16, 129.10, 129.04, 128.86, 128.78, 128.09, 127.62, 127.56, 127.01, 59.98, 56.94, 56.66, 56.54, 51.82, 51.65, 49.74, 49.41, 48.28, 47.22, 45.78, 41.56, 39.92, 38.68, 37.21, 36.17, 35.42, 34.66, 34.43, 31.38, 31.29, 20.74, 20.50, 14.56; MS (ESMS) m/z 637.3, 639.3 (M+H)⁺, Cl isotope pattern.

2-Amino-N-{1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-[4-(2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-2-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 7.74-7.88 (m, 3H), 7.67 (s, 1H), 7.36-7.54 (m, 3H), 7.14-7.35 (m, 4H), 5.07-5.18 (m, 0.7H), 4.93-5.03 (m, 0.3H), 4.73-4.84 (m, 1H), 4.30-4.41 (m, 0.3H), 3.86-4.09 (m, 2H), 3.38-3.64 (m, 2H), 2.68-3.26 (m, 6H), 0.91-1.82 (m, 10H), 0.74-0.88 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, MeOD, Rotamers) □ 173.35, 172.93, 171.80, 171.61, 170.49, 168.78, 137.78, 137.65, 136.84, 136.36, 135.41, 135.35, 134.61, 134.43, 134.22, 132.58, 132.29, 130.30, 130.03, 129.64, 129.53, 129.10, 128.86, 128.75, 127.62, 127.55, 127.00, 59.97, 58.48, 56.90, 52.24, 49.69, 49.24, 48.24, 47.22, 41.58, 39.36, 38.25, 37.19, 36.08, 35.45, 34.64, 34.43, 24.57, 24.42, 24.25, 20.71, 20.52, 14.56; MS (ESMS) m/z 563.3, 565.3 (M+H)⁺, Cl isotope pattern.

-   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide;     and

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide.

The following are non-limiting examples of analogs wherein R^(7a) and R^(7b) are each hydrogen and R⁸ units are selected from the group consisiting of phenyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 3,4-dichlorophenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, and naphth-2-yl.

-   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl)-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl)-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl)-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl)-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl)-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl)-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl)-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl)-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide;     and -   Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid     {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide.

A further iteration of this aspect comprises compounds having the formula:

wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl as defined herein above and non-limiting examples of R¹, R^(7a), and R⁸ are provided herein above in Table IV, said compounds comprising Q units selected from the group consisting of —OH, —OCH₃, —NH₂, —NHCH₃, and N(CH₃)₂.

Non-limiting examples of this iteration of aspect two of Category II include:

[2-{4-[2S-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-isopropylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-3-oxo-2S-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1R-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid methyl ester: ¹H NMR (MeOH, 300 MHz) □ 7.49-7.38 (m, 2H), 7.33-7.24 (m, 2H), 7.23-7.14 (m, 2H), 7.06-6.92 (m, 2H), 5.44-5.29 (m, 1H), 4.95-4.74 (m, 1H), 4.73 (t, 1H, J=6.62 Hz), 4.07-3.90 (m, 1H), 3.62 (s, 3H), 3.37-2.87 (m, 8H), 1.29-1.04 (m, 8H), 0.89-0.67 (m, 3H); MS (ESI) m/z 623 (M+H⁺, 100).

[2-{4-[2S-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-isopropylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-3-oxo-2S-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1R-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid methyl ester: ¹H NMR (MeOH, 300 MHz) □ 7.19-7.03 (m, 6H), 6.94-6.80 (m, 2H), 5.26 (q, 2H, J=5.90 Hz), 4.68 (t, 1H, J=7.31 Hz), 4.58 (t, 1H, J=6.65 Hz), 3.94-3.78 (m, 4H), 3.48 (s, 3H), 3.24-2.74 (m, 4H), 1.93 (s, 6H), 1.14-1.03 (m, 2H), 1.01 (q, 2H, J=3.357 Hz), 0.63 (s, 3H); MS (ESI) m/z 589 (M+H⁺, 100).

A third aspect of Category II comprises analogs with a scaffold having the formula:

wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl unit as described herein above and non-limiting examples of R¹, R^(5b), R^(7a), R⁸ and Q are defined herein below in Table V. TABLE V No. R¹ R^(5b) Q R^(7a) R⁸ 428 methyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 429 ethyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 430 propyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 431 iso-propyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 432 cyclopropyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 433 cyclopropylmethyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 434 allyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 435 methyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 436 ethyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 437 propyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 438 iso-propyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 439 cyclopropyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 440 cyclopropylmethyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 441 allyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 442 methyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 443 ethyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 444 propyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 445 iso-propyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 446 cyclopropyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 447 cyclopropylmethyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 448 allyl —H —H —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 449 methyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 450 ethyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 451 propyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 452 iso-propyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 453 cyclopropyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 454 cyclopropylmethyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 455 allyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 456 methyl —H —H —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 457 ethyl —H —H —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 458 propyl —H —H —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 459 iso-propyl —H —H —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 460 cyclopropyl —H —H —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 461 cyclopropylmethyl —H —H —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 462 allyl —H —H —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 463 methyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 464 ethyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 465 propyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 466 iso-propyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 467 cyclopropyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 468 cyclopropylmethyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 469 allyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 470 methyl —H —H —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 471 ethyl —H —H —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 472 propyl —H —H —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 473 iso-propyl —H —H —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 474 cyclopropyl —H —H —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 475 cyclopropylmethyl —H —H —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 476 allyl —H —H —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 477 methyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 478 ethyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 479 propyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 480 iso-propyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 481 cyclopropyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 482 cyclopropylmethyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 483 allyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 484 methyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 485 ethyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 486 propyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 487 iso-propyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 488 cyclopropyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 489 cyclopropylmethyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 490 allyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 491 methyl —H —H —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 492 ethyl —H —H —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 493 propyl —H —H —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 494 iso-propyl —H —H —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 495 cyclopropyl —H —H —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 496 cyclopropylmethyl —H —H —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 497 allyl —H —H —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 498 methyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 499 ethyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 500 propyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 501 iso-propyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 502 cyclopropyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 503 cyclopropylmethyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 504 allyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 505 methyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 506 ethyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 507 propyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 508 iso-propyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 509 cyclopropyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 510 cyclopropylmethyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 511 allyl —H —CH₃ —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl

The compounds which comprise the third aspect of Category II can be suitably prepared according to Scheme VI below from final analogs which comprise Category I, for example, utilizing as starting materials compounds such as 18 which corresponds to analog 9 from Table I.

EXAMPLE 6 2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl propionamide (24)

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-3-cyclopropyl-methyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl propionamide (24): To a solution of 2-{4-[2-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide, 18, (100 mg, 0.155 mmol) and triethylamine (20 mg, 0.2 mmole) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) at 0° C. is added dropwise acetyl chloride (13.4 mg, 0.17 mmole). The reaction is allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred 1 hour. The reaction is diluted with CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL) and extracted with water then brine, dried and concentrated in vacuo to afford a residue which is purified over silica gel to afford the desired product. ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz), 170.12, 169.90, 169.82, 169.49, 169.35, 167.70, 134.07, 133.67, 132.57, 131.64, 128.65, 127.83, 127.80, 127.70, 127.51, 127.23, 127.15, 126.64, 126.15, 115.87, 115.79, 115.60, 115.51, 58.65, 57.40, 56.61, 56.43, 50.61, 50.09, 42.76, 41.96, 41.55, 39.84, 38.39, 37.77, 36.89, 34.65, 34.09, 26.59, 23.26, 23.07, 7.20, 7.12, 4.83, 4.69, 4.45; MS, (ES-MS) m/z 573 (M+1).

Other non-limiting examples of this aspect of Category II include:

2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) 7.82˜7.90 (m, 3H), 7.2˜7.55 (m, 6H), 7.00˜7.14 (m, 2H), 5.12˜5.18 (m, 1H), 2.80˜3.45 (m, 8H), 2.60˜2.70 (m, 3H), 2.10˜2.15 (m, 5H), 1.75˜1.90 (m, 3H), 1.59˜1.70 (m, 2H), 1.0˜1.30 (m, 2H), 0.80˜0.90 (m, 3H); MS (ES-MS) m/z 547 (M+1).

2-{4-[3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-(2-methylamino-acetylamino)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) 7.00˜8.00 (m, 11H), 5.01 (m, 1H), 4.64 (t, 1H, J=6.6 Hz), 2.60-3.80 (m, 17H), 1.20˜1.40 (m, 2H), 0.31 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H); MS (ES-MS) m/z 592 (M+1).

2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-(S)-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-cyclopropyl-3-(S)-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz)

7.84-7.71 (m, 3H), 7.56 (s, 1H), 7.51-7.39 (m, 3H), 7.15-7.04 (m, 2H), 6.99-6.88(m, 2H) 6.50 (t, 1H, J=11.67 Hz) 6.29 (d, 1H, J=2.37 Hz) 5.32 (q, 1H, J=6.70 Hz) 5.04-4.87 (m, 1H) 4.73 (t, 1H, J=6.65 Hz) 3.53-3.14 (m, 4H) 2.97-2.63 (m, 4H) 1.99 (s, 1H) 1.95 (s, 3H) 1.14 (p, 3H, J=18.236 Hz) 0.88-0.58(m, 4H) 0.49 (q, 4H, J=10.755 Hz).

2-{3-Cyclopropylmethyl-4-[3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(S)-(2-methylamino-acetylamino)-propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-isopropyl-3-(S)-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz)

7.97 (d, 1H, J=7.40) 7.78-7.61 (m, 3H) 7.53 (s, 1H) 7.46-7.33 (m, 3H) 7.06 (q, 2H, J=5.33 Hz) 6.97(q, 2H, J=3.14 Hz) 6.91-6.79 (m, 1H) 6.33-6.18 (m, 1H) 5.42 (q, 1H, J=6.86 Hz) 5.29 (q, 1H, J=6.88 Hz) 5.03 (d, 1H, J=7.75 Hz) 4.92 (d, 1H, J=7.49 Hz) 4.73 (t, 1H, 5.32) 3.37-2.94 (m, 2H) 2.60-2.70 (m,2H) 2.63(d, 3H, J=6.07 Hz) 1.32-1.21 (m, 1H) 1.08 (d, 2H, J=6.59 Hz) 1.00 (q, 4H, J=6.570 Hz) 0.21-0.18 (m, 4H) MS (ESI) m/z 629 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-(S)-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-butyl-3-(S)-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz)

7.61-7.46 (m, 3H) 7.38-7.32 (m, 1H) 7.28-7.17 (m, 2H) 7.09-7.04 (m, 1H) 6.89-6.79 (m, 2H) 6.72-6.64 (m, 2H) 5.13-5.02 (m, 1H) 4.79-4.63 (m, 1H) 4.53 (t, 1H, J=6.64 Hz) 3.47-3.31 (m, 2H) 3.25-2.84 (m, 4H) 2.69-2.46 (m, 4H) 1.67 (s, 3H) 1.26-1.12 (m, 2H) 1.07-0.89 (m, 4H) 0.67-0.58 (m, 3H) 0.53-0.40 (m, 2H) 0.31-0.23 (m, 3H) MS (ESI) m/z 602 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-(S)-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-benzyl-3-(S)-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 7.78-7.61 (m, 3H) 7.53-7.46 (m, 1H) 7.42-7.32 (m, 2H) 7.16-7.08 (m, 3H) 7.03-6.98 (m, 3H) 6.33-6.25 (m, 1H) 6.00 (d, 1H, J=8.24) 5.32-5.21 (m, 2H) 4.70 (t, 1H, J=6.70 Hz) 4.42-4.08 (m, 2H) 3.61-3.05 (m, 6H) 2.82 (d, 2H, J=7.21 Hz) 1.79 (s, 3H) 1.21-1.08 (m, 2H) 0.73-0.58 (m, 2H) 0.49-0.38 (m, 3H) MS (ESI) m/z 636 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-(S)-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-isopropyl-3-(S)-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 7.69-7.58 (m, 3H) 7.46 (s, 1H) 7.38-7.29 (m, 2H) 7.01-6.89 (m, 3H) 6.84-6.75 (m, 2H) 6.13 (d, 1H, J=8.85 Hz) 5.70 (d, 1H, J=7.29 Hz) 4.98-4.82 (m, 2H) 4.74 (t, 1H, J=5.82 Hz) 3.99-3.83 (m, 2H) 3.78-3.59 (m, 2H) 3.33-3.09 (m, 4H) 2.95-2.72 (m, 2H) 1.75 (s, 3H) 1.48 (s, 6H) 1.06-0.92 (m, 5H) MS (ESI) m/z 600 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(R)-(4-chlorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-(S)-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-isopropyl-3-(S)-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 7.68-7.52 (m, 3H) 7.43 (s, 1H) 7.36-7.24 (m, 3H) 6.92 (d, 2H, J=19.21 Hz) 6.83 (d, 2H, J=14.83 Hz) 6.07 (d, 1H, J=7.72 Hz) 5.72 (d, 1H, J=6.89 Hz) 5.17-5.09 (m, 2H) 4.69 (t, 1H, J=5.92 Hz) 3.94-3.70 (m, 1H) 3.33-3.01 (m, 4H) 2.92-2.58 (m, 4H) 1.75 (s, 2H) 1.71 (s, 3H) 1.43 (s, 6H) 1.08-0.83 (m, 5H) MS (ESI) m/z 617 (M+H⁺, 100).

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(R)-(4-chlorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-(S)-isobutyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-isopropyl-3-(S)-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz)

7.83-7.71 (m, 3H) 7.58 (s, 1H) 7.53-7.41 (m, 3H) 7.33-7.19 (m, 2H) 7.10-6.98 (m, 2H) 6.05 (d, 1H, J=8.20 Hz) 5.94 (d, 1H, J=7.75 Hz) 5.37-5.19 (m, 1H) 4.12-3.98 (m, 2H) 3.62-3.49 (m, 1H) 3.38-3.04 (m, 4H) 2.91 (d, 2H, J=7.22 Hz) 2.84-2.74 (m, 2H) 1.94 (s, 1H) 1.89 (s, 2H) 1.18-1.04 (m, 6H) MS (ESI) m/z 618 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(R)-(4-chlorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-(S)-isopropyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-isopropyl-3-(S)-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 7.82-7.71 (m, 3H) 7.58 (s, 1H) 7.49-7.41 (m, 2H) 7.28-7.18 (m, 3H) 7.14-7.06 (m, 2H) 6.07-5.94 (m, 2H) 5.14-4.99 (m, 1H) 5.09-4.99 (m, 1H) 4.68 (d, 1H, J=7.050 Hz) 4.08-3.96 (m, H) 3.78-3.57 (m, 2H) 3.49-3.21 (m, 4H) 3.09-2.84 (m, 2H) 2.76-2.68 (m, 1H) 1.86 (s, 3H) 1.64 (s, 6H) 1.09 (t, 6H, J=6.577 Hz) MS (ESI) m/z 605 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-Amino-N-[2-[2-(S)-cyclopropylmethyl-4-(1-isopropylcarbamoyl-2-(S)-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-3-oxo-piperazin-1-yl]-1R-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-2-ethyl-butyramide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 7.81-7.67 (m, 3H) 7.58 (s, 1H) 7.49-7.38 (m, 2H) 7.22-7.12 (m, 1H) 7.08-7.00 (m, 1H) 6.99-6.87 (m, 3H) 6.32 (t, 1H, J=9.62 Hz) 5.5 (q, 1H, J=6.23 Hz) 5.38 (q, 1H, J=6.89 Hz) 4.81 (t, 1H, J=5.31 Hz) 4.11-3.89 (m, 1H) 3.61-3.04 (m, 4H) 3.00-2.91 (m, 2H) 2.89-2.78 (m, 2H) 2.03-1.74 (m, 6H) 1.42-1.30 (m, 1H) 1.22-0.98 (m, 6H) 0.95-0.75 (m, 6H) 0.10-0.03 (m, 5H) MS (ESI) m/z 671 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-(S)-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(S)-(1H-indol-2-yl)-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃,300 MHz)

8.21 (s, 1H), 7.56 (d, 1H, J=7.72 Hz), 7.49-6.86 (m, 8H), 6.47 (d, 1H, J=8.02 Hz), 5.37-5.24 (m, 1H), 5.02-4.91 (m, 1H), 4.79 (t, 1H, J=6.53 Hz), 3.32-3.08 (m, 4H), 2.93 (d, 2H, J=7.31 Hz), 2.84 (d, 2H, J=4.76 Hz), 2.76 (d, 3H, J=4.61 Hz), 1.95 (s, 3H), 1.39-1.22 (m, 2H), 0.94-0.80 (m, 2H), 0.78-0.68 (m, 3H).

2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-(S)-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-isopropyl-3-(S)-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 7.84-7.68 (m, 3H), 7.56 (s, 1H), 7.52-7.41 (m, 2H), 7.16-6.88 (m, 5H), 6.37-6.20 (m, 1H), 6.01-5.80 (m, 1H), 5.34-5.23 (m, 1H), 5.03-4.72 (m, 2H), 4.16-3.94 (m, 1H), 3.50-3.07 (m, 4H), 2.91 (d, 2H, J=7.50 Hz), 2.85 (d, 2H, J=6.95 Hz), 1.92 (s, 3H), 1.18-1.02 (m, 10H), 0.54-0.45 (m, 3H); MS (ESI) m/z 589 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-(S)-isobutyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-isopropyl-3-(S)-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 7.83-7.70 (m, 3H) 7.56 (s, 1H) 7.52-7.40 (m, 2H) 7.14-7.02 (m, 3H) 6.98-6.86 (m, 2H) 6.05 (d, 1H, J=8.30 Hz) 5.94 (d, 1H, J=7.57 Hz) 5.35-5.20 (m, 2H) 5.00-4.82 (m, 1H) 4.10-3.85 (m, 1H) 3.58-3.05 (m, 4H) 2.94-2.83 (m, 2H) 2.79-2.68 (m, 2H) 1.88 (s, 3H) 1.61 (s, 6H) 1.17-0.59 (m, 9H) MS (ESI) m/z 603 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-(S)-isopropyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-isopropyl-3-(S)-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 7.82-7.70 (m, 3H) 7.58 (s, 1H) 7.49-7.41 (m, 2H) 7.17-7.08 (m, 2H) 7.02-6.88 (m, 3H) 6.29 (d, 1H, J=7.65 Hz) 6.03 (t, 1H, J=9.05 Hz) 5.34-5.19 (m, 1H) 5.09-4.98 (m, 1H) 4.67 (d, 1H, J=6.97 Hz) 4.24-3.93 (m, 2H) 3.78-3.53 (m, 2H) 3.41-3.13 (m, 2H) 3.09-2.69 (m, 2H) 2.02-1.83 (m, 4H) 1.66 (s, 6H) 1.12-1.02 (m, 6H) MS (ESI) m/z 589 (M+H⁺, 100).

Cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-[2-(S)-cyclopropylmethyl-4-(S)-(1-isopropyl-carbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-3-oxo-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(R)-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 7.812-7.68 (m, 3H) 7.58 (s, 1H) 7.52-7.39 (m, 3H) 7.34-7.28 (m, 2H) 7.14-7.01 (m, 2H) 6.97-6.87 (m, 2H) 6.18 (d, 1H, J=8.36 Hz) 5.86 (d, 1H, J=7.37) 5.12-4.95 (m, 1H) 4.87 (t, 1H, J=5.87) 4.10-3.92 (m, 1H) 3.84-3.70 (m, 1H) 3.42-2.97 (m, 4H) 3.05-2.94 (m, 2H) 2.90-2.79 (m, 2H) 1.73 (s, 8H) 1.24-1.02 (m, 5H) 0.92-0.81 (m, 1H) 0.78-0.66 (m, 2H) MS (ESI) m/z 627 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(R)-(4-chlorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-(S)-cyclohexylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-isopropyl-3 S-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 7.82-7.70 (m, 3H) 7.58 (s, 1H) 7.54-7.39 (m, 2H) 7.36-7.19 (m, 3H) 7.12-7.05 (m, 2H) 6.06 (d, 1H, J=8.17 Hz) 5.97 (d, 1H, J=7.55 Hz) 5.36-5.17 (m, 2H) 5.00-4.84 (m, 1H) 4.10-3.92 (m, 1H) 3.39-3.02 (m, 4H) 2.91 (d, 2H, J=7.13 Hz) 2.88-2.75 (m, 2H) 1.87 (s, 3H) 1.73-1.40 (m, 11H) 1.18-0.87 (m, 11H) MS (ESD m/z 660 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-(S)-butyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-isopropyl-3-(S)-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 7.75-6.70 (m, 11H) 6.14 (d, 1H, J=7.56 Hz) 5.94 (d, 1H, J=8.13 Hz) 5.29-5.10 (m, 1H) 4.95-4.60 (m, 2H) 4.09-3.82 (m, 1H) 3.60-3.04 (m, 4H) 2.91-2.58 (m, 4H) 1.89-1.41 (m, 5H) 1.22-0.46 (m, 13H) MS (ESI) m/z 603(M+H⁺, 100).

2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-(S)-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-(S)-naphthalen-1-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 8.04-6.70 (m, 11H) 6.65 (d, 1H, J=11.0 Hz) 6.34 (d, 1H, J=8.21 Hz) 5.46-5.32 (m, 1H) 5.01-4.88 (m, 1H) 4.62 (t, 1H, J=6.86 Hz) 3.70-3.42 (m, 4H) 3.32-3.12 (m, 4H) 2.92 (d, 3H, J=7.74 Hz) 2.86-2.72 (m, 3H) 2.66 (d, 2H, J=4.60 Hz) 1.28-0.78 (m, 4H).

2-{3-(S)-Cyclopropylmethyl-4-[3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(2-methoxy-acetylamino)-propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-isopropyl-3-(S)-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 7.80-7.68 (m, 3H) 7.58 (s, 1H) 7.48-7.41 (m, 2H) 7.17-7.05 (m, 3H) 6.98-6.88 (m, 2H) 5.89 (t, 2H, J=9.03 Hz) 5.44 (q, 1H, J=12.67 Hz) 5.32-5.23 (m, 1H) 5.11-5.01 (m, 2H) 4.86 (t, 1H, J=5.82 Hz) 4.12-3.98 (m, 2H) 3.87-3.72 (m, 2H) 3.37 (d, 3H, J=7.07 Hz) 3.08-2.98 (m, 2H) 2.91-2.82 (m, 2H) 2.04 (s, 6H) 1.41-1.29 (m, 2H) 1.17 (d, 4H, J=6.083 Hz) 1.09 (t, 1H, J=5.435 Hz) MS (ESI) m/z 630 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{3-(S)-Cyclopropylmethyl-4-[2-(2,2-difluoro-acetylamino)-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-isopropyl-3-(S)-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz)

7.81-7.68 (m, 3H) 7.58(s, 1H) 7.49-7.41 (m, 2H) 7.14-7.02 (m, 3H) 6.98-6.89 (m, 2H) 5.98(d, 1H, J=1.22 Hz) 5.81 (d, H, J=1.09 Hz) 5.63 (d, 1H, J=1.06 Hz) 5.38 (q, 1H, J=6.63 Hz) 5.28 (q, 1H, J=7.00 Hz) 5.12-4.93 (m, 1H) 4.84 (t, 1H, J=5.96 Hz) 3.54-3.15 (m, 4H) 3.07-2.98 (m, 2H) 2.97-2.84 (m, 2H) 1.16 (d, 2H, J=6.552 Hz) 1.08 (t, 6H, J=5.804 Hz) 0.18-0.12 (m, 5H) MS (ESI) m/z 636 (M+H⁺, 100)

2-{4-[2-(2-Cyano-acetylamino)-3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-(S)-cyclopropyl-methyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-isopropyl-3-(S)-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz)

7.76-7.58 (m, 3H) 7.53 (s, 1H) 7.44-7.30 (m, 3H) 7.28-7.18 (m, 2H) 7.03(q, 2H, J=5.31 Hz) 6.95-6.78 (m, 1H) 6.28(d, 1H, J=7.72 Hz) 6.18 (d, 1H, J=7.56 Hz) 5.45 (q, 1H, J=6.84 Hz) 5.12-4.98 (m, 1H) 4.72 (t, 1H, J=5.55 Hz) 3.94-3.77 (m, 2H) 3.48-2.65 (m, 6H) 1.49(s, 6H) 1.38 (s, 6H) 1.05 (t, 1H, J=6.552 Hz) 0.97 (q, 4H, J=3.723 Hz) MS (ESI) m/z 643 (M+H⁺, 100).

2-{3-Cyclopropylmethyl-4-[3-(R)-(4-fluorophenyl)-2S-(2-methylamino-acetylamino)-propionyl]-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-isopropyl-3-(S)-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz)

7.97 (d, 1H, J=7.40) 7.78-7.61 (m, 3H) 7.53 (s, 1H) 7.46-7.33 (m, 3H) 7.06 (q, 2H, J=5.33 Hz) 6.97(q, 2H, J=3.14 Hz) 6.91-6.79 (m, 1H) 6.33-6.18 (m, 1H) 5.42 (q, 1H, J=6.86 Hz) 5.29 (q, 1H, J=6.88 Hz) 5.03 (d, 1H, J=7.75 Hz) 4.92 (d, 1H, J=7.49 Hz) 4.73 (t, 1H, 5.32) 3.37-2.94 (m, 2H) 2.60-2.70 (m,2H) 2.63(d, 3H, J=6.07 Hz) 1.32-1.21 (m, 1H) 1.08 (d, 2H, J=6.59 Hz) 1.00 (q, 4H, J=6.570 Hz) 0.21-0.18 (m, 4H) MS (ESI) m/z 629 (M+H⁺, 100).

The fourth aspect of Category II comprises analogs with a scaffold having the formula:

wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl unit as described herein above and non-limiting examples of R¹, R⁴, R^(5b), R⁸ and Q are defined herein below in Table VI. TABLE VI No. R¹ R^(7a) R^(5a) R^(5b) Q R⁸ 511 methyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 512 ethyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 513 propyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 514 iso-propyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 515 cyclopropyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 516 cyclopropylmethyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 517 allyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 518 methyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 519 ethyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 520 propyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 521 iso-propyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 522 cyclopropyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 523 cyclopropylmethyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 524 allyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 525 methyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 526 ethyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 527 propyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 528 iso-propyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 529 cyclopropyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 530 cyclopropylmethyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 531 allyl —CO₂H —H —H —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 532 methyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 533 ethyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 534 propyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 535 iso-propyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 536 cyclopropyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 537 cyclopropylmethyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 538 allyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 539 methyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 540 ethyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 541 propyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 542 iso-propyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 543 cyclopropyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 544 cyclopropylmethyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 545 allyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 546 methyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 547 ethyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 548 propyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 549 iso-propyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 550 cyclopropyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 551 cyclopropylmethyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 552 allyl —CO₂CH₃ —H —H —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 553 methyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 554 ethyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 555 propyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 556 iso-propyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 557 cyclopropyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 558 cyclopropylmethyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 559 allyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 560 methyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 561 ethyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 562 propyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 563 iso-propyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 564 cyclopropyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 565 cyclopropylmethyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 566 allyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 567 methyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 568 ethyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 569 propyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 570 iso-propyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 571 cyclopropyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 572 cyclopropylmethyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 573 allyl —CO₂H —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 574 methyl —CO₂CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 575 ethyl —CO₂CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 576 propyl —CO₂CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 577 iso-propyl —CO₂CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 578 cyclopropyl —CO₂CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 579 cyclopropylmethyl —CO₂CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 580 allyl —CO₂CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 581 methyl —CO₂CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 582 ethyl —CO₂CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 583 propyl —CO₂CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 584 iso-propyl —CO₂CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 585 cyclopropyl —CO₂CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 586 cyclopropylmethyl —CO₂CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (3,4- dichlorphenyl)methyl 587 methyl —CO₂CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 588 ethyl —CO₂CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 589 propyl —CO₂CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 590 iso-propyl —CO₂CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 591 cyclopropyl —CO₂CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 592 cyclopropylmethyl —CO₂CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 593 allyl —CO₂CH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl

The compounds which comprise the fourth aspect of Category II can be suitably prepared starting with intermediate compounds such as 15 as outlined in Scheme VII herein below.

EXAMPLE 7 2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-mmethyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (27)

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methylester (25): To a solution of 2-{4-[2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 15, (531 mg, 0.842 mmol) is dissolved into a mixture of TFA/anisole/CH₂Cl₂ (45:5:50, 10 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred for 3 minutes, concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by reverse phase HPLC to afford the TFA salt of the desired compound.

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-(2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methylester (26): To a solution of 2-{4-[2-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methylester, 25, (37 mg, 0.068 mmol) in DMF (1 mL) are added 2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-2-methyl-propionic acid (202 mg, 0.079 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (20 mg, 0.148 mmol), N-methylmorpholine (41 mg, 0.41 mmol) and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (16 mg, 0.083 mmol) consecutively. The reaction mixture is stirred for 3 hours, quenched with aqueous NH₄Cl and extracted several times with ethyl acetate. The combined extracts are dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to a residue which is purified over silica gel (CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH, 13:1) to afford the desired product.

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-(2-amino-2-mmethyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (27): To a solution of 2-{4-[2-(2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-2-methyl-propionyl-amino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 26, (45 mg, 0.063 mmol) is dissolved into a mixture of TFA/anisole/CH₂Cl₂ (45:5:50, 2 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred for 3 minutes, concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by reverse phase HPLC to afford the TFA salt of the desired compound.

A further iteration of the fourth aspect of Category II relates to R^(7a) units which are carboxy, which can be prepared from the corresponding esters as outlined in Scheme VIII.

EXAMPLE 8 2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-mmethyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid (28)

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-(2-amino-2-mmethyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid (28):

To a solution of 2-{4-[2-(2-amino-2-mmethyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 27, (518 mg, 0.842 mmol) in a mixture of THF (5 mL)/CH₃OH (1 mL)/H₂O (2 mL) is added LiOH (100 mg, 4.17 mmol). The reaction mixture is stirred for 4 hours, acidified with 1N HCl to pH 3 and extracted several times with EtOAc. The combined extracts are dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated in vacuo and dried under high vacuum to give the free acid in quantitative yield.

A fifth aspect of Category II melanocortin receptor ligands relate to compounds wherein R^(5a) and R^(5b) are taken together to form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring having from 3 to 10 atoms, said compounds having the general scaffold with the formula:

wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl unit as described herein above and non-limiting examples of R¹, R^(5a)/R^(5b) ring, R^(7a), R⁸ and Q are defined herein below in Table VII. 1,2,3,4-THN-2-yl stands for 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthylen-2-yl. TABLE VII No. R¹ R^(5a)/R^(5b) ring Q R^(7a) R⁸ 594 —CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 595 —CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 596 —CH₃ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 597 —CH₃ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 598 —CH₃ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 599 —CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 600 —CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 601 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 602 —CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 603 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 604 —CH₂CH₃ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 605 —CH₂CH₃ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 606 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 607 —CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 608 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 609 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 610 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 611 —CH₂CH═CH₂ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 612 —CH₂CH═CH₂ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 613 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 614 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 615 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 616 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 617 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 618 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 619 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 620 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 621 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 622 —CH₂(C₃H₅) cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 623 —CH₂(C₃H₅) cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 624 —CH₂(C₃H₅) cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 625 —CH₂(C₃H₅) azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 626 —CH₂(C₃H₅) azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 627 —CH₂(C₃H₅) cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 628 —CH₂(C₃H₅) cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 629 —CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 630 —CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 631 —CH₃ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 632 —CH₃ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 633 —CH₃ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 634 —CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 635 —CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 636 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 637 —CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 638 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 639 —CH₂CH₃ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 640 —CH₂CH₃ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 641 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 642 —CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 643 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 644 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 645 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 646 —CH₂CH═CH₂ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 647 —CH₂CH═CH₂ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 648 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 649 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 650 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 651 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 652 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 653 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 654 —CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 655 —CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 656 —CH₃ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 657 —CH₃ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 658 —CH₃ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 659 —CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 660 —CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 661 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 662 —CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 663 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 664 —CH₂CH₃ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 665 —CH₂CH₃ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 666 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 667 —CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 668 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 669 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 670 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 671 —CH₂CH═CH₂ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 672 —CH₂CH═CH₂ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 673 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 674 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 675 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 676 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 677 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 678 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 679 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 680 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 681 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 682 —CH₂(C₃H₅) cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 683 —CH₂(C₃H₅) cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 684 —CH₂(C₃H₅) cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 685 —CH₂(C₃H₅) azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 686 —CH₂(C₃H₅) azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 687 —CH₂(C₃H₅) cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 688 —CH₂(C₃H₅) cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 689 —CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 690 —CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 691 —CH₃ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 692 —CH₃ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 693 —CH₃ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 694 —CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 695 —CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 696 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 697 —CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 698 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 699 —CH₂CH₃ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 700 —CH₂CH₃ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 701 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 702 —CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 703 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 704 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 705 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 706 —CH₂CH═CH₂ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 707 —CH₂CH═CH₂ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 708 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 709 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 710 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 711 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 712 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 713 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3.4- dichlorophenyl)methyl

The compounds which comprise the fifth aspect of Category II melanocortin receptor ligands can be suitably prepared starting with intermediate compound 18 as outline in Scheme IX herein below.

EXAMPLE 9 1-Amino-cyclopropane carboxylic acid [2-[2-cyclopropylmethyl-4-(1′-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-ylethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-1′-(4fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide (30)

Preparation of {1-[2-[2-cyclopropylmethyl-4-(1′-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-ylethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1′-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethylcarbamoyl]cyclopropyl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (29): To a solution of 2-{4-[2-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide, 18, (62 mg, 0.12 mmol) in DMF (2 mL) are added tert-butoxycarbonylamino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (28.5 mg, 0.14 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (36 mg, 0.266 mmol), N-methylmorpholine (74 mg, 0.74 mmol) and 1-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (29 mg, 0.15 mmol) consecutively. The reaction mixture is stirred for 3 hours, quenched with aqueous NH₄Cl and extracted several times with ethyl acetate. The combined extracts are dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to a residue, which is purified over silica gel (CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH, 13:1) to afford the desired product.

Preparation of 1-amino-cyclopropane carboxylic acid [2-[2-cyclopropylmethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-ylethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide (30): {1-[2-[2-cyclopropylmethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-ylethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethylcarbamoyl]cyclopropyl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester, 29, (63 mg, 0.09 mmol) was dissolved into a mixture of TFA/anisole/CH₂Cl₂ (45:5:50, 2 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred for 1 hour, concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by reverse phase HPLC purification to afford the TFA salt of the desired compound.

N-[2-{4-[2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-isonicotinamide HCl: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 9.01 (br s, 2H), 8.32 (d, 2H, J=5.7 Hz), 7.39-7.31 (m, 6H), 7.04 (m, 2H), 5.44 (m, 1H), 5.31 (m, 1H), 4.75 (m, 1H), 4.05 (m, 1H), 3.77-3.51 (m, 2H), 3.30-3.00 (m, 5H), 2.83, 2.74 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 1.44-0.83 (m, 7H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers)

172.0, 171.9, 171.4, 171.3, 170.7, 169.0, 165.0, 164.4, 162.8, 150.6, 145.0, 137.1, 137.0, 133.9, 133.7, 133.5, 133.3, 132.6, 132.5, 132.1, 132.0, 131.7, 129.8, 126.5, 126.0, 116.8, 116.7, 116.5, 116.4, 73.7, 72.6, 62.3, 59.8, 58.0, 57.4, 53.4, 52.8, 49.7, 48.1, 43.9, 43.3, 42.7, 42.6, 39.5, 38.8, 38.1, 36.7, 35.5, 35.3, 34.7, 26.6, 20.2, 20.0, 19.7, 14.3, 9.4; MS m/z (ESI): 608 (M+H, 60), 610 (M+2+H, 20), 630 (M+Na⁺ H, 100).

1-Amino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoro-acetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.26 (m, 6H), 7.03 (m, 2H), 5.48 (m, 1H), 5.06 (m, 1H), 4.67 (m, 1H), 3.99 (m, 1H), 3.61 (m, 1H), 3.26-2.93 (m, 6H), 2.80, 2.74 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 1.62 (m, 1H), 1.39-1.20 (m, 5H), 0.79 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 171.9, 171.7, 171.5, 170.7, 170.5, 169.0, 164.2, 162.6, 162.5, 136.8, 133.8, 133.6, 132.3, 131.9, 131.8, 129.6, 116.6, 116.5, 116.3, 116.2, 59.6, 57.5, 57.4, 57.2, 52.6, 52.1, 42.9, 42.5, 39.3, 38.3, 37.6, 36.5, 36.3, 35.5, 35.0, 34.8, 26.4, 20.1, 19.8, 14.2, 13.5, 13.3, 13.2; MS m/z (ESI): 586 (M+H, 80), 588 (M+2+H, 28), 338 (100).

1-Methylamino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.16 (m, 6H), 6.90 (m, 2H), 5.36 (m, 1H), 4.98 (m, 1H), 4.55 (m, 1H), 3.88 (m, 1H), 3.48 (m, 1H), 3.15-2.83 (m, 6H), 2.68, 2.62 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.58, 2.55 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(CH₂—CH₂)C(O), rotamers), 1.52 (m, 1H), 1.36 (m, 3H), 1.11 (m, 2H), 0.68 (m, 5H); ° C. NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 171.9, 171.8, 171.6, 171.4, 170.5, 169.5, 164.2, 162.6, 162.4, 162.1, 136.8, 133.8, 133.7, 132.4, 132.3, 131.9, 131.8, 129.6, 116.6, 116.4, 116.3, 116.1, 59.7, 57.4, 57.2, 52.6, 52.0, 43.6, 43.0, 42.5, 39.2, 38.3, 37.6, 36.5, 35.5, 35.0, 34.8, 32.8, 32.7, 26.4, 20.1, 19.8, 14.2, 13.4, 13.2; MS m/z (ESI): 600 (M+H, 80), 602 (M+2+H, 37).

1-Amino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methyl-carbamoyl-ethyl]-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz, with rotamers) □ 7.28 (m, 1H), 7.11 (m, 4H), 6.87 (m, 2H), 5.43 (m, 1H), 4.92 (m, 1H), 4.53 (m, 1H), 3.88 (m, 1H), 3.38 (m, 1H), 3.26-3.06 (m, 3H), 2.83 (m, 3H), 2.63, 2.58 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 1.45 (m, 1H), 1.23-1.17 (m, 5H), 0.65 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 171.7, 171.5, 171.3, 171.2, 170.7, 170.4, 168.9, 164.2, 162.7, 162.6, 162.5, 136.4, 136.3, 134.8, 134.7, 133.9, 133.7, 133.6, 133.5, 132.3, 131.9, 130.3, 128.4, 119.0, 116.5, 116.4, 116.3, 116.2, 134.1, 1332.7, 132.6, 132.3, 130.7, 128.8, 117.0, 116.8, 116.5, 59.6, 57.1, 56.0, 52.6, 52.1, 43.3, 42.9, 42.3, 38.9, 38.2, 37.6, 36.6, 36.3, 35.4, 32.7, 32.3, 26.5, 20.1, 19.9, 14.2, 13.6, 13.4, 13.3; MS m/z (ESI): 620 (M+H, 60), 602 (M+2+H, 40).

1-Methylamino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.22 (m, 1H), 7.04 (m, 4H), 6.81 (m, 2H), 5.35 (m, 1H), 4.88 (m, 1H), 4.46 (m, 1H), 3.76 (m, 1H), 3.29-3.00 (m, 4H), 2.77 (m, 3H), 2.73, 2.57 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.51, 2.46 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(CH₂—CH₂)C(O), rotamers), 1.41 (m, 1H), 1.25 (m, 3H), 1.08 (m, 2H), 0.59 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 172.0, 171.0, 170.0, 165.5, 162.2, 136.7, 135.2, 135.1, 134.1, 132.8, 132.7, 130.7, 128.8, 116.8, 116.5, 60.1, 57.5, 56.5, 52.9, 52.4, 44.143.8, 42.7, 38.1, 37.0, 35.9, 33.3, 32.7, 26.9, 20.5, 20.3, 14.6, 13.8; MS m/z (ESI): 634 (M+H, 100), 606 (M+2+H, 70).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) 7.00˜8.00 (m, 11H), 4.57 (m, 1H), 4.10˜4.30 (m, 2H), 2.60˜3.75 (m, 12H), 1.85 (bs, 2H), 1.25˜1.50 (m, 2H), 0.40˜0.60 (m, 3H); MS (ES-MS) m/z 592 (M+1).

The following are non-limiting examples of analogs according to Category II of the melanocortin receptor ligands of the present invention.

N-(2-Fluoroethyl)-2-{4-[3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methylamino-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, MeOD, Rotamers) □ 8.38-8.86 (m, 0.3H), 7.77-7.89 (m, 3H), 7.62-7.72 (m, 1H), 7.38-7.58 (m, 3H), 7.15-7.30 (m, 2H), 6.94-7.11 (m, 2H), 5.52-5.65 (m, 1H), 4.20-4.68 (m, 4H), 3.16-3.68 (m, 8H), 2.56-3.04 (m, 5H), 0.72-1.14 (m, 2H), 0.18-0.66 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, MeOD, Rotamers) □ 172.23, 169.85, 167.14, 162.39, 135.65, 135.03, 134.10, 132.90, 132.79, 130.66, 129.45, 128.91, 128.83, 128.63, 128.32, 127.57, 127.04, 117.10, 116.81, 84.29, 82.07, 59.79, 58.32, 57.87, 43.58, 42.84, 41.42, 41.14, 39.31, 37.13, 36.63, 35.69, 35.47, 32.34, 19.78, 13.86; MS (ESMS) m/z 565.4 (M+H)⁺.

N-(2-Fluoroethyl)-2-{4-[3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-isopropylamino-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 8.36-8.46 (m, 0.6H), 7.70-7.92 (m, 3H), 7.34-7.65 (m, 4H), 7.16-7.33 (m, 2H), 6.94-7.10 (m, 2H), 5.57 (dd, J=12.3, 5.1 Hz, 1H), 4.71 (dd, J=10.8, 5.1 Hz, 1H), 4.46-4.60 (m, 2H), 4.32-4.44 (m, 1H), 3.36-3.37 (m, 5H), 3.09-3.32 (m, 4H), 2.90-3.04 (m, 1H), 2.50-2.64 (m, 1H), 1.23-1.36 (m, 6H), 0.60-1.14 (m, 2H), 0.14-0.58 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 172.49, 170.00, 167.27, 165.92, 162.65, 135.88, 135.28, 134.36, 133.28, 133.18, 132.65, 132.54, 130.90, 129.71, 129.18, 129.04, 128.88, 128.54, 127.85, 127.32, 117.81, 117.30, 117.01, 84.56, 82.34, 58.54, 58.36, 56.22, 51.53, 43.77, 43.26, 41.67, 41.40, 38.02, 35.96, 35.77, 20.62, 20.02, 19.24, 14.10; MS (ESMS) m/z 593.3 (M+H)⁺.

2-{4-[2-Ethylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-(2-fluoroethyl)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 8.60-8.70 (m, 0.15H), 8.37-8.48 (m, 0.75H), 7.75-7.89 (m, 3H), 7.61-7.74 (m, 1H), 7.36-7.59 (m, 3H), 7.14-7.30 (m, 2H), 6.94-7.11 (m, 2H), 5.60 (dd, J=11.8, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 4.17-4.72 (m, 4H), 3.12-3.70 (m, 7H), 2.74-3.08 (m, 3H), 2.50-2.64 (m, 1H), 1.30 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 3H), 0.12-1.16 (m, 7H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 172.48, 170.06, 168.18, 167.47, 165.91, 163.15, 162.65, 135.85, 135.28, 134.37, 133.16, 133.06, 132.56, 132.46, 131.03, 130.99, 129.69, 129.16, 129.06, 128.87, 128.56, 127.82, 127.30, 117.83, 117.55, 117.34, 117.05, 84.55, 82.34, 59.48, 59.35, 58.64, 58.32, 58.20, 57.36, 43.57, 43.34, 43.21, 41.67, 41.39, 39.72, 37.81, 37.63, 37.01, 35.97, 35.74, 20.00, 14.10, 12.07; MS (ESMS) m/z 579.3 (M+H)⁺.

-   2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-3-methyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl     propionamide; -   2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)propionyl]-3-methyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl     propionamide; -   2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-3-ethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl     propionamide; -   2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)propionyl]-3-ethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl     propionamide; -   2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-3-propyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl     propionamide; -   2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl     propionamide; -   2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-3-(1-methylethyl)-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl     propionamide; -   2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propionyl]-3-(1-methylethyl)-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-cyclopropyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl     propionamide; -   2-{4-[2-Acetylamino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)propionyl]-3-propyl-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl}-N-cyclopropyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl     propionamide;

The Category III melanocortin receptor ligands according to the present invention comprises the 2-hydrocarbyl-piperazines having the general scaffold with the formula:

the first aspect of which comprises compounds having the formula:

wherein R is a substituted phenyl unit as described herein above and non-limiting examples of R¹, R^(7a), and R⁸ are defined herein below in Table VIII and in the examples which follow. TABLE VIII No. R¹ R^(7a) R⁸ 714 methyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 715 ethyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 716 propyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 717 iso-propyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 718 cyclopropyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 719 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 720 allyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 721 methyl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 722 ethyl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 723 propyl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 724 iso-propyl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 725 cyclopropyl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 726 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 727 allyl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 728 methyl —C(O)NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 729 ethyl —C(O)NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 730 propyl —C(O)NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 731 iso-propyl —C(O)NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 732 cyclopropyl —C(O)NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 733 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 734 allyl —C(O)NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 735 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 736 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 737 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 738 iso-propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 739 cyclopropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 740 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 741 allyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 742 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 743 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 744 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 745 iso-propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 746 cyclopropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 747 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 748 allyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 749 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 750 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 751 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 752 iso-propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 753 cyclopropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 754 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 755 allyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 756 methyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 757 ethyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 758 propyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 759 iso-propyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 760 cyclopropyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 761 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 762 allyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 763 methyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 764 ethyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 765 propyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 766 iso-propyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 767 cyclopropyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 768 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 769 allyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 770 methyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 771 ethyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 772 propyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 773 iso-propyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 774 cyclopropyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 775 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 776 allyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 777 methyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 778 ethyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 779 propyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 780 iso-propyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 781 cyclopropyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 782 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 783 allyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 784 methyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 785 ethyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 786 propyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 787 iso-propyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 788 cyclopropyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 789 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 790 allyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 791 methyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 792 ethyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 793 propyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 794 iso-propyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 795 cyclopropyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 796 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 797 allyl —C(O)NH(CH₂CH₂F) (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 798 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 799 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 800 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 801 methyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 802 ethyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 803 propyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 804 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 805 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 806 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 807 methyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 808 ethyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 809 propyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 810 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 811 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 812 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 813 methyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 814 ethyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl 815 propyl —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl

The compounds of the first aspect of Category II can be suitably prepared by the procedure outlined herein below in Scheme X.

EXAMPLE 10 2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide HCl (38)

Preparation of 3-naphthalen-2-yl-[2-(2-nitro-benzenesulfonylamino)-butyryl-amino]-propionic acid methyl ester (31): 2-Amino-3-naphthen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester hydrochloride (1401 g, 52.2 mmol) and 2-(2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl-amino)-butyric acid (19.7 g, 68.4 mmol) and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (13.4 g, 106.4 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (12.3 g, 63.9 mmol) are dissolved in anhydrous DMF (75 mL). The reaction mixture is cooled to 0° C., then N-methylmorpholine (17.5 mL, 160.0 mmol) is added. The reaction mixture is placed in a refrigerator overnight. EtOAc (100 mL) and water (800 mL) are added and the organic layer is decanted. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×200 mL), the organic layers combined, washed with water (200 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated in vacuo to afford 26.6 g, (quantitative yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, δ): 7.90 (d, J=10.2 Hz, 1H), 7.76-7.65 (m, 4H), 7.55-7.38 (m, 5H), 7.12-7.08 (m, 1H), 6.67 (d, J=11.7 Hz, 1H), 6.05 (d, J=11.7 Hz, 1H), 4.72 (quartet, J=7.3 Hz,1H), 3.88-3.79 (m, 1H), 3.60 (s, 3H), 3.20 (double quartet, J=14.6, 7.3 Hz, 1H), 1.75-1.45 (m,2H), 0.070 (t, J=11.7 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR, □ 175.0, 171.0, 148.0, 134.0, 133.8, 133.6, 133.2, 132.9, 130.9, 130.3, 128.7, 128.4, 128.0, 127.6, 126.7, 126.3, 125.8, 59.3, 53.8, 52.9, 38.4, 36.9, 31.9, 26.8, 9.8.

Preparation of 2-[3-ethyl-4-(2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl)-2-oxo-piperazin-1yl]-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (32): To a solution of 3-naphthalen-2-yl-2-[2-(2-nitrobenzenesulfonylamino)-butyryl amino]-propionic acid methyl ester, 31, (26.6 g, 53.2 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (100 mL) is added 1,2-dibromoethane (100.0 g, 532.0 mmol) and potassium carbonate (66.1 g, 479.0 mmol). The reaction mixture is heated at 60° C. over night. The reaction mixture is cooled in an ice bath and the pH is adjusted to ˜3 with 1M KHSO₄. The reaction mixture is extracted with EtOAc (3×300 mL). The organic layers are combined and washed with water (200 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo and the resulting residue is purified over silica (Hexane: EtOAc 1:1; 5% MeOH in EtOAc) to afford 27.4 g (98% yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, δ): 8.02-7.90 (m, 1H), 7.84-7.70 (m, 3H), 7.64-7.58 (m, 3H), 7.55-7.50 (m, 1H), 7.50-7.40 (m, 2H), 7.30 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 5.35 (dd, J−12.0, 4.8 Hz, 1H), 4.25 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 1H, 3.78-3.68 (m, 1H), 3.65 (s, 3H), 3.52 (dd, J=15.0, 6.0 Hz, 1H), 3.30-3.10 (m, 4H), 1.58-1.50 (m, 1H), 1.42-1.38 (m, 1H), 0.56 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR, □ 170.5, 167.8, 148.0, 134.2, 134.0, 133.6, 133.1, 132.6, 132.3, 130.9, 128.5, 127.9, 127.7, 127.5, 126.9, 126.5, 126.0, 124.6.

Preparation of 2-[3-ethyl-4-(2-nitro-benzenesulfonyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (33): To a solution of 2-[3-ethyl-4-(2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl)-2-oxo-piperazin-1yl]-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 32, (5.3 g, 10. mmol) in anhydrous THF (10 mL) is added 1.0 M borane-tetrahydrofuran complex (32.0 mL) at −20° C. The reaction mixture is stirred at this temperature overnight. Methanol (3 mL) is added to the reaction mixture at −20° C. and the solution is allowed to stir for twenty minutes. Additional methanol (6 mL) is added and the reaction mixture is allowed to warm to room temperature. The solvent is removed in vacuo and the product is purified over silica (EtOAc/Hexane: 1:1) to afford 4.1 g (68% yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, δ): 8.04-7.98m, (1H), 7.80-7.72 (m, 3H), 7.61-7.52 (m, 4H), 7.45-7.38 (m, 2H), 7.28 (d, J=9.6 Hz, 1H), 3.78 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 3.64 (d, J=11.0 Hz, 1H), 3.50 (s, 3H), 3.48 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 3.24-3.10 (m, 2H), 3.10-2.95 (m, 1H), 2.90 (t, J=11.0 Hz, 1H), 2.66 (d, J=2.4 Hz), 2.38-2.20 (m, 1H), 1.61-1.48 (m, 1H), 1.48-1.32 (m, 1H), 0.58 (t, J=9.6 Hz, 3H);); ¹³C NMR, □ 171.7, 148.0, 135.9, 134.2, 133.7, 132.4, 132.0, 130.9, 128.0, 127.7, 127.6, 126.2, 125.6, 124.4, 69.0, 56.4, 53.8, 51.3, 47.0, 41.9, 35.2, 22.2, 10.7.

Preparation of 2-(3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (34): To a solution of 2-[3-ethyl-4-(2-nitro-benzenesulfonyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 33, (4.1 g, 8.0 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (40 mL) is added potassium carbonate (6.7 g, 48.2 mmol) and 4-mercaptophenol (3.0 g, 24.1 mmol). The reaction mixture is stirred for six hours at room temperature, cooled in a ice bath and the pH adjusted to ˜3 with 1M HCl. The reaction mixture is extracted with Et₂O (4×100 mL), the organic layers combined and extracted with 1M HCl (100 mL). The organic layers are then discarded. The aqueous layers were combined and cooled in ice bath and pH was adjusted to ˜10 with K₂CO₃. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (4×125 mL) and dried over Na₂SO₄. The combined organic layers are concentrated in vacuo to afford 2.1 g (80% yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, δ): 7.84-7.75 (m, 3H), 7.70 (s, 1H), 7.50-7.38 (m, 2H), 7.35 (dd, J=8.3, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 3.60(s, 3H), 3.55-3.50 (m, 1H), 3.30-3.24 (m, 1H), 3.18-3.08 (m, 1H), 3.05-2.75 (m, 5H), 2.70-2.55 (m, 1H), 2.50 (dd, J=10.4, 4.1 Hz, 1H), 2.04 (t, J=10.4 Hz, 1H), 1.52-1.32 (M, 2H), 1.00 (t, J=8.3 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR, □ 171.8, 135.9, 133.7, 132.4, 128.1, 128.0, 127.9, 127.8, 126.1, 125.6, 120.8, 70.0, 57.3, 54.3, 52.9, 51.3, 46.4, 35.7, 27.5, 10.6.

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (35): 2-(3-Ethyl-piperazin-1-yl)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 34, (2.1 g, 6.4 mmol) and N-Boc-D-4-fluorophenylalanine (1.9 g, 6.8 mmol) and O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (HATU) (4.9 g, 12.9 mmol) are dissolved in anhydrous DMF (20 mL). This reaction mixture is cooled to 0° C., then N-methylmorpholine (0.75 mL, 6.8 mmol) is added. The reaction mixture is placed in a refrigerator overnight. EtOAc (75 mL) and water (300 mL) are added, and the organic layer is separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×150 mL). The combined organic layers are washed with water (100 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting residue is purified over silica (EtOAc/Hexane, 1:2) to afford 3.5 g (91% yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, δ): 7.82-7.75 (m, 3H), 7.62 (s, 1H), 7.52-7.40 (M, 2H), 7.34 (m, 1H), 7.22-7.25 (m, 2H), 7.02-6.92 (m2H), 5.75-5.62 (M, 1H), 5.18 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 0.5H), 4.90 (quartet, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 4750-4.62 (m, 0.5H), 4.50-4.25 (m, 1H), 3.64 (d, J=9.7 Hz, 3H), 3.58-3.38 (m, 1.5H), 3.30-2.90 (m, 6H), 2.90-2.70 (m, 1H), 2.62-2.25 (d, J=11.6 Hz,1H), 2.15-2.00 (m, 1H), 1.78-1.50 (m, 1.5H), 1.42 (s, 9H), 1.35-1.20 (m, 1H), 0.6 (t, J=9.7 Hz, 2H); ¹³C NMR, □ 174.2, 171.6, 171.0, 170.2, 164.0, 160.2, 156, 135.7, 133.7, 132.4, 131.4, 131.3, 128.1, 127.8, 127.6, 127.5, 126.2, 125.7, 115.7, 115.5, 115.4, 115.3, 79.9, 68.9, 68.7, 55.9, 54.1, 53.7, 51.4, 51.2, 51.0, 47.5, 46.6, 40.1, 39.1, 38.1, 35.4, 28.5, 22.9, 21.9, 10.6, 10.0

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid (36): LiOH (0.61 g, 25.5 mmol) is added to a cold solution of 2-{4-[2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 35, (3.5 g, 5.9 mmol) in THF/H₂O (2:1, 36 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred overnight. The reaction mixture is cooled in a ice bath and the pH is adjusted to 3 with 1M HCl. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL) and dried over Na₂SO₄. The organic layers are combined and concentrated in vacuo to afford 3.4 g (98% yield) of the desired product.

Preparation of [2-[4-(1-carbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-2-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (37): To solution of 2-{4-[2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid, 36, (0.3 g, 0.5 mmol) and 2-(1-oxy-pyridine-2-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethylisothiouronium tetrafluoroborate (TOTT) (0.24 g, 0.8 mmol) in DMF (2.0 mL) are added ammonium chloride (0.06 g, 1.0 mmol) and DIEA (0.2 mL, 1.0 mmol). The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 1 hour then a saturated solution of ammonium chloride (30 mL) is added. The reaction mixture is extracted with EtOAc (3×30 mL), then the combined organic layers are washed with 2M HCl (2×10 mL), water (2×10 mL), a saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate (2×10 mL), water (2×10 mL) and dried over Na₂SO₄. The solution is concentrated in vacuo to afford 0.26 g (87% yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, δ): 7.75-7.55 (m, 4H), 7.38-7.20 (m,3H), 7.10-7.00 (m, 2H), 6.90-6.80 (m, 2H), 6.40-6.00 (m, 1H), 5.55-5.25 (m, 1H), 4.45-4.18 (m, 1H), 3.60-2.00 (m, 10H), 1.80-1.32 (m, 2H), 1.32-1.18 (m, 11H), 0.70-0.55 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR, □ 175.0, 172.0, 171.0, 170.0, 164.0, 160.0, 155.2, 137.3, 133.8, 132.6, 132.4, 131.5, 131.4, 131.3, 131.2, 131.1, 128.4, 128.0, 127.8, 126.4, 125.8, 116.0, 115.8, 115.7, 115.6, 115.4, 80.4, 80.0, 70.6, 70.3, 60.7, 55.5, 51.8, 51.4, 51.1, 50.8, 50.4, 41.9, 40.2, 39.2, 38.0, 37.9, 32.6, 28.6, 23.3, 22.4, 21.4, 14.5, 10.9, 10.3.

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide HCl (38): [2-[4-(1-carbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-2-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester, 37, (0.26 g, 0.5 mmol) is dissolved in 4M HCl in dioxane (7 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred for 60 minutes, then 1,2-dichloroethane (7 mL) is added. The solution is concentrated in vacuo to afford 0.24 g (quantitative yield) of the desired product.

Other iterations of R^(7a) can be obtained from Intermediate 36 as outlined in Scheme XI.

EXAMPLE 11 2-{4-[2-amino-3-(4-flourophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propioamide Hydrochloride (41)

Preparation of [2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (40): To a cold solution of 2-{4-[2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid, 36, (1.7 g, 3.0 mmol) and benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-pyrrolidinol-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (PyBOP) (2.0 g, 3.8 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (10 mL) are added 2 M methyl amine solution in THF (1.5 mL, 3.0 mmol) and triethyl amine (1.0 mL, 7.4 mmol). The reaction mixture is placed in a refrigerator overnight. EtOAc (50 mL) and water (200 mL) are added, and the organic layer is separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The combined organic layers are washed with brine (100 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product is purified over silica (EtOAc/hexane, 1:1) to afford 1.3 g (73% yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, δ): 7.75-7.65 (m, 3H), 7.55 (s, 1H), 7.39-7.29 (m, 2H), 7.29-7.2 (m, 1H), 7.10-7.02 (m, 2H), 6.90-6.82 (m, 2H), 6.51-6.30 (m, 1H), 5.31 (d, J=10.4 Hz, 1H), 4.85-4.15 (m, 2.5H), 3.55-3.12 (m, 3H), 3.00-2.05 (m, 10H), 1.85-1.45 (m, 10H), 0.7 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR, (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 174.0, 172.0, 171.0, 170.0, 163.9, 160.6, 155.2, 137.4, 133.8, 132.4, 131.5, 131.4, 131.3, 131.2, 128.4, 128.0, 127.8, 126.4, 125.8, 116.0, 115.7, 115.4, 80.0, 70.9, 70.7, 60.7, 55.4, 52.1, 51.2, 51.0, 50.5, 49.8, 41.9, 40.2, 39.4, 38.0, 32.4, 28.6, 26.3, 23.3, 22.3, 21.4, 14.5, 10.8, 10.3.

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propioamide Hydrochloride (41): [2-[2-Ethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester, 40, is dissolved in 4M HCl in dioxane (20 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred for 1 hour, then 1,2-dichloroethane (20 mL) is added. Solvent is removed in vacuo to afford 1.1 g (99% yield) of the desired product.

Scheme XII illustrates the replacement of 4-fluorophenyl as the R unit with 4-chlorophenyl.

EXAMPLE 12 2-{4-[2-amino-3-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propioamide HCl (45)

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (42): 2-(3-Ethyl-piperazin-1-yl)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 34, (0.52 g, 1.6 mmol) and Boc-D-4-chlorophenylalanine (0.5 g, 1.7 mmol) and O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-uronium hexafluoro-phosphate (1.2 g, 3.2 mmol) are dissolved in anhydrous DMF (20 mL). The reaction mixture is cooled to 0° C., then N-methylmorpholine (0.35 mL, 3.2 mmol) is added. The reaction mixture is placed in a refrigerator overnight. EtOAc (75 mL) and water (100 mL) are added, and the organic layer is separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). All organic layers are combined and washed with water (20 mL), and dried over Na₂SO₄. The organic layers are concentrated in vacuo to afford 1.0 g (quantitative yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, δ): 7.70-7.65 (m, 3H), 7.52 (s, 1H), 7.35-7.32 (m, 2H), 7.22-7.13 (m, 4H), 7.07-7.02 (m, 2H), 5.59 (dd, J=13.5, 8.7 Hz, 1H), 4.74 (q, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 2.28-4.21 (m, 1H), 3.53 (d, J=12.3 Hz, 3H), 3.42-3.08 (m, 2H), 3.04-2.81 m, 4H), 2.80 (s, 1H), 2.75 (s, 3H), 2.64-2.60 (m, 1H), 2.46 (t, J=10.5 Hz, 1H), 2.20-2.05 (m, 1H), 1.55-1.40 (m, 1H), 1.18 (s,9H), 0.54-0.47 (m, 2H); ¹³C NMR,

171.6, 170.5, 170.0, 162.9, 155.0, 150.7, 135.8, 135.2, 133.6, 132.8, 132.4, 131.1, 131.2, 128.9, 128.7, 128.6, 128.0, 127.7, 127.6, 126.2, 125.6, 124.5, 120.4, 79.7, 68.9, 60.5, 55.8, 53.7, 51.4, 51.0, 47.4, 47.0, 41.5, 40.0, 39.0, 38.7, 38.0, 36.6, 35.3, 35.0, 31.6, 28.4, 22.8, 21.8, 21.1, 14.3, 10.5, 10.0.

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-propionyl}-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid (43): LiOH (0.2 g, 7.9 mmol) is added to the cold solution of 2-{4-[2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 42, (1.0 g, 1.6 mmol) in THF/H₂O (2/1, 30 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred overnight. The reaction mixture is cooled in ice bath and the pH is adjusted to 3 with 1M HCl. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×75 mL) and dried over Na₂SO₄. The organic layers are concentrated in vacuo to afford 1.0 g (quantitative yield) of the desired product.

Preparation of {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (44): To a cold solution of 2-{4-[2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid, 43, (1.0 g, 1.6 mmol) and PyBOP (1.1 g, 2.0 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (10 mL) are added 2 M methyl amine solution in THF (0.9 mL, 1.6 mmol) and triethyl amine (0.6 mL, 3.9 mmol). The reaction mixture is placed in a refrigerator overnight. EtOAc (50 mL) and water (100 mL) are added, the organic layer is decanted and the aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×75 mL). All organic layers are combined and washed with brine (100 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, concentrated in vacuo and purified over silica (EtOAc/Hexane, 1:1) to provide 1.0 g (quantitative yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): δ 7.72-7.50 (m, 4H), 7.29-7.14 (m, 4H), 7.10-7.04 (m, 2H), 7.00-6.97 (m, 3H), 5.60-5.51 (m, 1H), 4.73-4.66 (m, 1H), 4.30-4.11 (m, 1H), 3.45-3.26 (m, 2H), 3.15-3.05 (m, 1H), 2.86-2.79 (m, 3H), 2.75-2.59 (m, 5H), 2.56-2.47 (m, 1H), 2.43-2.29 (m, 1H), 2.05-2.01 (m,1H), 1.61 (s, 9H), 0.64-0.54 (m, 2); ¹³C NMR, (CDCl₃, 75 MHz): δ 171.9, 170.3, 170.0, 155.0, 137.4, 137.2, 135.3, 135.1, 133.6, 132.8, 132.2, 131.2, 131.1, 131.0, 128.7, 128.6, 128.4, 127.9, 127.8, 127.6, 127.5, 126.4, 126.0, 125.4, 124.7, 118.6, 110.4, 79.6, 69.9, 55.4, 50.9, 50.2, 46.4, 39.8, 37.9, 32.0, 32.6, 28.4, 26.5, 26.1, 23.0, 22.0, 10.6, 10.0.

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propioamide HCl (45): {1-(4-Chlorobenzyl)-2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester, 44, (1.0 g, 1.6 mmol) is dissolved in 4M HCl in dioxane (20 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred for 60 minutes then 1,2-dichloroethane (20 mL) is added. Solvent is removed in vacuo to afford 1 g (quantitative yield) of the desired product.

The following are non-limiting examples of analogs which comprise the first aspect of Category III according to the present invention.

2-{4-[2-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, ppm,CD₃OD), rotamers: □ 7.78-7.76, m, 3H, 7.65, s, 1H, 7.43-7.31, m, 5H, 7.11-7.15, m, 2H, 4.72-4.67, m, 0.5H, 4.54-4.49, m, 1H, 4.34-4.29, m, 0.5H, 3.64-3.54, m, 1H, 3.42-3.31, m, 3H, 3.26-2.98, m, 7H; 2.88-2.81, m, 1H, 2.71-2.58, m, 5H, 1.58-1.23, m, 2H, 1.08, m, 2H, 0.78-0.72, m, 3H. Carbon ¹³NMR (300 MHz, ppm,CD₃OD), rotamers: □ 171.10, 170.57, 166.91, 164.36, 161.12, 135.57, 135.05, 133.79, 132.66, 131.78, 131.66, 131.54, 131.44, 130.00, 127.82, 127.74, 127.42, 127.29, 125.95, 125.89, 125.48, 125.37, 116.01, 115.80, 115.51, 54.31, 52.91, 52.08, 50.90, 50.60, 49.84, 40.98, 37.92, 37.11, 36.31, 34.33, 34.29, 31.86, 30.99, 24.70, 19.17, 18.99, 12.80, 12.86. MS(ESI) m/e 505 [M+1].

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ with rotamers 7.34-7.08 (m, 8H), 4.72-4.37 (m, 2H), 3.68-3.41 (m, 2H), 3.23-2.84 (m, 8H), 2.67, 2.62 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.40-1.68 (m, 1H), 1.49 (m, 2H), 1.17 (m, 2H), 0.90 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 75 MHz with rotamers) □ 173.0, 172.0, 169.0, 166.0, 162.8, 162.7, 162.3, 138.3, 137.6, 134.1, 133.8, 133.4, 133.3, 133.2, 133.1, 132.3, 131.6, 129.9, 129.8, 117.6, 117.4, 117.3, 117.1, 112.3, 71.1, 70.9, 55.8, 54.3, 53.6, 52.5, 52.2, 51.2, 50.3, 38.7, 37.9, 34.9, 33.5, 32.6, 26.3, 20.8, 20.6, 14.6, 14.5; MS m/z (ESI): 489 (M+H, 100), 491 (M+2+H, 37).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz with rotamers) □ 7.21-6.94 (m, 8H), 4.53-4.13 (m, 2H), 3.39-3.26 (m, 1H), 3.04-2.57 (m, 7H), 2.51, 2.49 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.36 (m, 2H), 1.98-1.47 (m, 1H), 1.31-1.11 (m, 2H), 0.95 (m, 2H), 0.67 (t, 3H, J=7.1 Hz); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 5 MHz with rotamers) □ 173.2, 173.0, 168.3, 166.0, 162.7, 137.8, 137.6, 135.6, 133.4, 133.3, 133.2, 133.1, 131.6, 130.9, 129.7, 129.6, 128.3, 117.6, 117.4, 117.3, 117.1, 114.1, 69.4, 69.2, 56.2, 54.6, 53.6, 52.5, 52.1, 51.9, 43.2, 39.9, 38.8, 38.0, 33.5, 32.5, 26.2, 20.8, 20.6, 14.7; MS m/z (ESI): 489 (M+H, 100), 491 (M+2+H, 37).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz with rotamers) □ 7.22-6.96 (m, 8H), 4.93-4.21 (m, 2H), 3.50-3.13 (m, 2H), 2.97-2.79 (m, 6H), 2.57, 2.53 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.45 (m, 2H), 2.12-1.55 (m, 1H), 1.37(m, 2H), 1.03 (m, 2H), 0.79 (t, 3H, J=7.1 Hz); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 75 MHz with rotamers) □ 172.7, 172.4, 168.5, 166.0, 162.7, 142.5, 142.0, 135.5, 135.4, 133.4, 133.3, 133.1, 133.0, 131.6, 131.2, 130.8, 129.1, 128.1, 127.9, 117.6, 117.4, 117.3, 117.1, 71.0, 70.8, 56.0, 54.6, 53.7, 52.5, 52.2, 51.7, 42.9, 39.7, 38.7, 37.9, 35.4, 35.2, 33.5, 32.6, 26.2, 20.8, 20.6, 14.7, 14.6; MS m/z (ESI): 489 (M+H, 100), 491 (M+2+H, 37).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz with rotamers) □ 7.44 (m, 1H), 7.33-7.14 (m, 4H), 7.12 (m, 2H), 4.69-4.25 (m, 2H), 3.56-3.40 (m, 1H), 3.29-2.78 (m, 7H), 2.70, 2.67 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.55-2.38 (m, 2H), 2.12-1.60 (m, 1H), 1.42-1.25 (m, 2H), 1.10 (m, 2H), 0.87 (t, 3H, J=7.3 Hz); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 75 MHz with rotamers) □ 173.0, 172.9, 168.5, 166.0, 162.7, 136.9, 136.6, 136.4, 134.5, 134.4, 133.4, 133.3, 133.2, 133.1, 131.6, 130.5, 128.5, 117.6, 117.4, 117.3, 117.2, 69.2, 68.9, 56.2, 54.7, 53.8, 52.5, 52.1, 51.9, 43.1, 39.8, 38.8, 38.0, 33.5, 32.9, 32.8, 32.6, 26.2, 20.8, 20.6, 14.7, 14.6; MS m/z (ESI): 523 (M+H, 100), 525 (M+2+H, 70).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-fluoroethyl)-propionamide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz with rotamers) □ 7.40-7.17 (m, 8H), 4.76-4.29 (m, 4H), 3.69-3.37 (m, 4H), 3.25-2.88 (m, 4H), 2.75-2.34 (m, 2H), 1.92 (m, 2H), 1.63-1.18 (m, 3H), 1.24 (m, 2H), 0.96 (t, 3H, J=7.2 Hz); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 75 MHz with rotamers) □ 172.6, 172.0, 168.5, 166.0, 162.7, 162.4, 138.6, 138.2, 133.9, 133.7, 133.3, 133.1, 132.3, 131.6, 129.8, 117.6, 117.4, 117.1, 84.5, 82.3, 71.0, 70.9, 55.9, 54.6, 53.6, 52.5, 51.6, 47.8, 42.8, 41.3, 41.0, 39.6, 38.6, 37.9, 35.1, 34.7, 33.6, 32.7, 27.8, 27.7, 20.8, 20.7, 14.7, 14.6; MS m/z (ESI): 521 (M+H, 60), 523 (M+2+H, 20), 258(100).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(2-fluorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 0.865 (t, 3H, J=6.9 Hz), 1.128 (m, 2H), 1.411 (m, 2H), 2.681, 2.719 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.856 (m, 3H), 3.072 (m, 5H), 3.338 (m, 3H), 3.529 (d, 1H, J=12.9), 4.465 (d, 1H, J=12.9), 4.515 (m, 2H), 4.705 (t, 1H, J=7.2), 7.103 (m, 4H), 7.300 (m, 4H); ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 42.462, 46.229, 46.726; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 165.9, 164.8, 162.7, 161.4, 133.3, 133.1, 133.0, 129.8, 125.5, 117.5, 117.3, 117.2, 117.0, 116.5, 116.2, 69.9, 69.6, 56.2, 54.6, 53.7, 52.4, 52.1, 52.0, 43.3, 40.0, 38.7, 33.4, 32.5, 29.2, 29.0, 26.3, 26.2, 20.7, 20.6, 14.7, 14.6; MS m/e 473 (M+1).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3-fluorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 0.921 (t, 3H), 1.200 (m, 2H), 1.511 (m, 2H), 2.643, 2.687 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.948 (m, 3H), 3.056 (m, 5H), 3.334 (m, 3H), 3.650 (d, 1H), 4.349 (d, 1H), 4.518 (m, 2H), 4.732 (t, 1H), 6.993 (m, 3H), 7.140 (m, 1H), □ 7.325 (m, 4H); ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 42.462, 46.229, 46.726; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 166.2, 165.9, 162.7, 142.9, 133.3, 133.2, 133.1, 133.0, 131.6, 131.4, 131.3, 126.5, 117.6, 117.4, 117.3, 117.1, 117.0, 114.7, 114.6, 114.4, 114.3, 71.1, 70.9, 56.0, 54.5, 53.6, 52.5, 52.1, 51.8, 43.1, 39.8, 37.9, 35.5, 33.5, 32.6, 26.2, 20.8, 20.6, 14.6, 14.5; MS m/e 473 (M+1).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 0.91 (t, 3H, J=6.9), 1.16 (m, 2H), 1.48 (m, 2H), 2.63, 2.67 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.88 (m, 3H), 3.08 (m, 5H), 3.36 (m, 3H), 3.60 (d, 1H), 4.31 (d, 1H, J=12.9), 4.54 (m, 2H), 4.711 (t, 1H), 7.01 (m, 2H), 7.15 (m, 4H), 7.32 (m, 2H); ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 46.718, 47.167, 47.378; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 166.2, 165.9, 162.7, 142.9, 133.3, 133.2, 133.1, 133.0, 131.6, 131.4, 131.3, 126.5, 117.6, 117.5, 117.4, 117.2, 117.1, 114.7, 114.6, 114.4, 114.3, 71.1, 70.9, 56.1, 54.5, 53.6, 52.5, 52.2, 51.8, 50.3, 43.0, 39.9, 37.9, 35.5, 33.5, 32.7, 26.2, 20.8, 20.6, 14.7, 14.6; MS m/e 473 (M+1).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 0.918 (t, 3H, J=7.2), 1.154 (m, 2H), 1.439 (m, 2H), 2.66, 2.70 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.871 (m, 3H), 3.160 (m, 5H), 3.34 (m, 3H), 3.590 (d, 1H, J=13.2), 4.30 (d, 1H, J=13.8), 4.52 (m, 2H), 4.713 (t, 1H), 7.00 (m, 1H), 7.155 (m, 4H), 7.32 (m, 2H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 165.9, 162.7, 150.1, 137.9, 137.6, 133.3, 133.2, 133.1, 133.0, 131.6, 127.1, 119.5, 119.3, 118.4, 118.2, 117.6, 117.3, 117.2, 117.1, 71.1, 70.9, 56.1, 54.6, 53.7, 52.5, 52.2, 51.8, 50.2, 43.2, 38.8, 37.9, 34.9, 33.6, 32.7, 26.2, 20.8, 20.6, 14.7, 14.6; MS m/e 491 (M+1).

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 7.37-7.46 (m, 2H), 7.28-7.37 (m, 2H), 7.07-7.18(m, 3H), 4.73 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 1H), 4.50-4.61 (m, 1.5H), 4.26-4.38 (m, 0.5H), 3.58-3.68 (m, 0.5H), 3.38-3.47 (m, 0.5H), 3.14-3.28 (m, 1H), 2.78-3.14 (m,6H), 2.71 (s, 1.33H), 2.66 (s, 1.66H), 2.50-2.65 (m, 2H), 1.26-1.72 (m, 2H), 1.01-1.26 (m, 2H), 0.85-0.94 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 170.79, 170.35, 167.04, 166.95, 164.40, 161.14, 161.04, 131.89, 131.28, 131.72, 131.59, 131.49, 131.32, 130.28, 130.19, 130.14, 129.14, 116.02, 115.81, 115.72, 115.53, 69.30, 69.02, 54.46, 53.04, 52.25, 50.89, 50.57, 50.01, 41.14, 38.07, 37.20, 36.39, 33.13, 33.06, 31.94, 31.08, 24.73, 19.25, 19.06, 13.11, 13.04; MS (ESMS) m/z 523.4, 525.4, 527.6 (M+H)⁺, Cl₂ isotope pattern.

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-(2-fluoroethyl)-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 7.38-7.47 (m, 2H), 7.28-7.38 (m, 2H), 7.06-7.19 (m, 3H), 4.73 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 4.19-4.62 (m, 4H), 3.36-3.70 (m, 3H), 2.75-3.24 (m, 7H), 2.56-2.71 (m, 2H), 1.28-1.76 (m, 2H), 1.03-1.26 (m, 2H), 0.91 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 170.49, 169.86, 167.06, 166.98, 164.38, 161.13, 160.82, 160.32, 139.16, 138.68, 131.92, 131.78, 131.67, 131.60, 131.48, 131.34, 130.38, 130.23, 130.04, 129.17, 116.02, 115.82, 115.74, 115.53, 82.90, 80.67, 69.14, 68.95, 54.35, 53.06, 52.18, 50.91, 50.69, 49.98, 41.09, 39.76, 39.48, 37.98, 37.08, 36.38, 33.10, 32.89, 32.00, 31.14, 19.27, 19.09, 13.11, 13.03; MS (ESMS) m/z 555.4, 557.4, 559.6 (M+H)⁺, Cl₂ isotope pattern.

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-isopropyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, MeOD, Rotamers) □ 7.29-7.48 (m, 4H), 7.08-7.20 (m, 3H), 4.67-4.76 (m, 0.6H), 4.49-4.59 (m, 1H), 4.26-4.37 (m, 0.4H), 3.83-3.98 (m, 1H), 3.56-3.67 (m, 0.6H), 3.40-3.49 (m, 0.4H), 2.64-3.28 (m, 8H), 2.48-2.60 (m, 1.5H), 2.25-2.38 (m, 0.5H), 1.29-1.77 (m, 2.5H), 1.07-1.24 (m, 4.5H), 0.87-1.02 (m 6H); MS (ESMS) m/z 551.4, 553.2, 555.6 (M+H)⁺, Cl₂ isotope pattern.

-   2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-isopropyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide:     MS (ESMS) e/z 545.5 (M+H)⁺ -   2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl}N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide:     MS (ESMS) e/z 517.5 (M+H)⁺ -   2-{4-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methylpropionamide.

The second aspect of Category III comprises compounds having the formula:

R is a substituted phenyl unit as described herein above and non-limiting of R¹, R^(5a), R^(5b), R^(7a), and R⁸ are defined herein below in Table IX and in the which follow. TABLE IX No. R¹ R^(5a) R^(5b) R^(7a) R⁸ 816 methyl —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 817 ethyl —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 818 propyl —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 819 iso-propyl —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 820 cyclopropyl —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 821 cyclopropylmethyl —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 822 allyl —H —H —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 823 methyl —H —H —NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 824 ethyl —H —H —NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 825 propyl —H —H —NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 826 iso-propyl —H —H —NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 827 cyclopropyl —H —H —NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 828 cyclopropylmethyl —H —H —NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 829 allyl —H —H —NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 830 methyl —H —H —NH₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 831 ethyl —H —H —NH₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 832 propyl —H —H —NH₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 833 iso-propyl —H —H —NH₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 834 cyclopropyl —H —H —NH₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 835 cyclopropylmethyl —H —H —NH₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 836 allyl —H —H —NH₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 837 methyl —H —H —NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 838 ethyl —H —H —NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 839 propyl —H —H —NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 840 iso-propyl —H —H —NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 841 cyclopropyl —H —H —NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 842 cyclopropylmethyl —H —H —NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 843 allyl —H —H —NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 844 methyl —H —H —NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 845 ethyl —H —H —NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 846 propyl —H —H —NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 847 iso-propyl —H —H —NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 848 cyclopropyl —H —H —NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 849 cyclopropylmethyl —H —H —NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 850 allyl —H —H —NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 851 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 852 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 853 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 854 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 855 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 856 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 857 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 858 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 859 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 860 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 861 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 862 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 863 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 864 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 865 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 866 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 867 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 868 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 869 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 870 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 871 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 872 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 873 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 874 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 875 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 876 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 877 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 878 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 879 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 880 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 881 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 882 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 883 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 884 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 885 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 886 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 887 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 888 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 889 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 890 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 891 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 892 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 893 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 894 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 895 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 896 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 897 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 898 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 899 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 900 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 901 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 902 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 903 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 904 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 905 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 906 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 907 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 908 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 909 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 910 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 911 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 912 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 913 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 914 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 915 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 916 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 917 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 918 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 919 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 920 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 921 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 922 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 923 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 924 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 925 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 926 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 927 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 928 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 929 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 930 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 931 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 932 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 933 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 934 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 935 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 936 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 937 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 938 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 939 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 940 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 941 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 942 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 943 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 944 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 945 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 946 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 947 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 948 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 949 methyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 950 ethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 951 propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 952 iso-propyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 953 cyclopropyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 954 cyclopropylmethyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 955 allyl —CH₃ —CH₃ —N(CH₃)₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl

The compounds of the second aspect of Category II can be suitably prepared by the procedure outlined herein below in Scheme XIII beginning with analogs such as compound 41.

EXAMPLE 13 2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazine-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide (47)

Preparation of {1-[2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl carbamoyl]-1-methyl-ethyl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (46): 2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propioamide hydrochloride, 41, (0.3 g, 0.6 mmol) and tert-butyloxy-carbonyl-□-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) (0.12 g, 0.6 mmol) 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide (0.22 g, 1.1 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.1 g, 0.7 mmol) are dissolved in anhydrous DMF (2.5 mL). The reaction mixture is cooled to 0° C., then N-methylmorpholine (0.2 mL, 1.7 mmol) is added. The reaction mixture is placed in refrigerator overnight. EtOAc (25 mL) and water (75 mL) are added, and the organic layer is separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×30 mL). All organic layers are combined and washed with water (2×50 mL), and dried over Na₂SO₄. Solvent is removed in vacuo and the product is purified over silica (EtOAc/Hexane, 2/1) to afford 0.7 g of the desired compound. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, δ): 7.80-7.58 (m, 4H), 7.42-7.22 (m, 3H), 7.20-7.00 (m, 2H), 6.98-6.50 (m, 2H), 5.40-4.98 (m, 1.5H), 4.70-3.90 (m, 1H), 3.75-3.02 (m, 3.5H), 3.00-2.56 (m, 7H), 2.42-2.35 (m, 1H), 2.18-1.95 (m, 2.5H), 1.50-1.12 (m, 18H), 0.095-0.75 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR, □ 174.4, 172.1, 171.9, 170.3, 169.6, 163.7, 162.0, 154.6, 137.3, 133.7, 132.3, 131.4, 130.8, 128.1, 127.8, 127.6, 126.2, 125.6, 115.7, 115.4, 115.2, 80.0, 70.2, 56.7, 55.3, 50.9, 50.0, 49.9, 41.8, 39.5, 38.5, 37.9, 32.7, 32.4, 28.5, 28.3, 26.1, 25.5, 25.3, 23.1, 22.1, 10.6, 10.1.

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-(2-amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazine-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide (47): {1-[2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl carbamoyl]-1-methyl-ethyl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester, 46, (0.4 g, 0.6 mmol) is dissolved in 4M hydrogen chloride in dioxane (12 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. 1,2-dichloro-ethane (12 mL) is added. The organic layers are concentrated in vacuo gives the crude HCl salt of product which is then purified by preparative HPLC to the TFA salt of product (0.28 g, 0.35 mmol, 62% yield). A small amount of product is converted into the free base by treating with NaHCO₃ to obtain NMR spectra. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): δ 8.25-8.15 (m, 1H), 7.82-7.75 (m, 4H), 7.45-7.15 (m, 6H), 7.00-6.95 (m, 2H), 5.12-4.98 (m, 1H), 4.52 (s, 0.5H), 4.32 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 0.5H), 3.65-3.28 (m, 3H), 3.08-2.50 (m, 10H), 2.35-2.20 (m, 1H), 1.88-1.58 (m, 5H), 1.32 (d, J=3.34 Hz, 3H), 1.15 (d, J=18.4 Hz, 4H), 0.8 m,3H); ¹³C NMR, (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 177.0, 172.3170.7, 170.0, 165.0, 161.5, 137.6, 133.9, 132.5, 131.5, 131.4, 128.4, 128.3, 128.0, 127.8, 127.7, 126.4, 125.8, 115.9, 115.7, 115.5, 70.8, 55.5, 51.3, 50.9, 49.9, 39.8, 38.1, 32.6, 29.3, 26.3, 23.3, 22.5, 10.9, 10.4; HRFAB(positive) m/e 576.3349 calculated for C₃₃H₄₂FN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺, Found 576.3339

The following are non-limiting examples of procedures for forming other compounds which comprise the second aspect of Category III.

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-(2-amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: 2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide HCl (0.22 g, 0.4 mmol) and t-butyloxycarbonyl-□-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) (0.09 g, 0.5 mmol), 1-(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (0.17 g, 0.9 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.07 g, 0.5 mmol) are dissolved in anhydrous DMF (2.5 mL). This reaction mixture is cooled to 0° C., then N-methylmorpholine (0.14 mL, 1.3 mmol) is added. This reaction mixture is placed in a refrigerator for overnight. EtOAc (25 mL) and water (100 mL) are added, and the organic layer is separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×30 mL), the organic layers combined, washed with water (2×50 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated in vacuo to afford 0.22 g (77% yield) of the desired product which is used without further purification. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 7.80-7.64 (m, 4H), 7.45-7.30 (m, 3H), 7.20-7.10 (2H), 6.95-6.85 (m, 2H), 6.65-6.32 (m, 1H), 5.50-5.02 (m, 2H), 4.78-4.00 (m, 1H), 3.70-3.10 (m, 3H), 3.02-2.64 (m, 6H), 2.50-2.35 (m, 1H), 2.15-1.76 (m, 1H), 1.55-1.21 (m, 18H), 0.75-0.65 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR, (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 174.5, 174.4, 174.0, 170.0, 169.8, 163.7, 160.4, 155.0, 137.0, 133.6, 132.3, 131.4, 131.3, 131.2, 131.0, 130.8, 128.1, 127.8, 127.6, 126.6, 126.2, 125.6, 125.3, 118.4, 115.8, 115.7, 115.6, 115.5, 115.2, 110.8, 80.0, 70.2, 69.9, 56.9, 56.7, 55.4, 51.5, 51.2, 51.0, 50.1, 49.9, 41.8, 39.6, 37.8, 32.6, 28.5, 28.3, 26.7, 26.0, 25.6, 23.1, 22.2, 10.7, 10.1.

The crude product obtained above (0.22 g, 0.33 mmol) is dissolved in 4M hydrogen chloride in dioxane (10 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. 1,2-dichloroethane (10 mL) is added. The solution is concentrated in vacuo to afford a residue which is purified by preparative HPLC (w/TFA for salt exchange) to give afford 0.17 g (64% yield) of the desired product. A small amount of product was converted into free base by treating with NaHCO₃ to obtain NMR spectra. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, δ): 8.18-8.02 (m,1H), 7.78-7.58 (m, 4H), 7.40-7.25 (2H), 7.12-7.04 (m, 2H), 6.98-6.80 (2H), 6.46 (s, 0.5H), 6.15 (s, 0.5H), 5.66-5.45 (m, 1H), 5.10-4.82 (m, 1H), 4.49 (br s, 0.5H), 4.28 (d, J=13.0 Hz, 0.5H), 3.60-3.12 (m, 3H), 3.00-2.58 (m, 5H), 2.51-2.39 (m, 1H), 2.28-2.00 (1H), 1.80 0 1.43 (m, m, 5H), 1.32-1.00 (m, 7H), 0.75-0.63 (m, 3H). HRFAB(positive) m/e 562.3193 calculated for C₃₂H₄₀FN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺, Found 562.3216.

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide trifluoroacetate: Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methylpropionamide trifluoroacetate (0.3 g, 0.43 mmol) and t-butyloxycarbonyl-□-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) (88 mg, 0.43 mmol), 1-(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (124 mg, 0.65 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (117 mg, 0.86 mmol) are dissolved in anhydrous DMF (2.5 mL). This reaction mixture is cooled to 0° C., then N-methylmorpholine (0.25 mL, 2.3 mmol) is added. This reaction mixture is placed in a refrigerator for overnight. EtOAc (25 mL) and water (100 mL) are added, and the organic layer is separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×30 mL), the organic layers combined, washed with water (2×50 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated in vacuo to afford 0.3 g of the desired product which is used without further purification.

The crude product obtained above is dissolved in TFA/DCM/H₂O (1/2/0.1, 10 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. 1,2-dichloroethane (10 mL) is added. The solution is concentrated in vacuo to afford a residue which is purified by preparative HPLC (w/TFA for salt exchange) to give afford 0.167 g (59% yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 7.45-7.41 (m, 2H0, 7.32-7.27 (m, 2H), 7.17-7.00 (m, 3H), 5.16 (t, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 4.43 (br s, 0.5H), 4.28 (d, J=13.5 Hz, 0.5H), 3.95 (d, J=14.1 Hz, 0.5H), 3.63 (m, 0.5H), 3.42-3.21 (m, 8H), 3.22-2.81 (m, 6H), 2.84-2.66 (m, 3H), 2.52-2.43 (m, 2H), 2.20-2.13 (m, 1H), 1.82-1.66 (m, 2H), 1.60-1.42 (m, 6H), 0.80 0 0.72 (m, 3H). HRFAB(positive) m/e 594.241399 calculated for C₂₉H₃₈Cl₂FN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺, Found 594.240266.

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-(2-amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide trifluoroacetate: 2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluoro-pnenyl)-propionyl}-3-methyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide (505 mg, 0.71 mmol) and t-butyloxycarbonyl-[1-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) (144 mg, 0.71 mmol), 1-(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (200 mg, 1.07 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (193 mg, 1.42 mmol) are dissolved in anhydrous DMF (2.0 mL). This reaction mixture is cool to 0° C. then N-methylmorpholine (0.3 mL, 2.7 mmol) is added. This reaction mixture is placed in a refrigerator for overnight. EtOAc (25 mL) and water (100 mL) are added, and the organic layer is separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×30 mL), the organic layers combined, washed with water (2×50 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated in vacuo to afford 0.31 g of the desired product which is used without further purification.

The crude product obtained above is dissolved in TFA/DCM/H₂O (1/2/0.1, 8 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. 1,2-dichloroethane (8 mL) is added and the solution is concentrated in vacuo to afford a residue which is purified by preparative HPLC (w/TFA for salt exchange) to give afford 0.250 g (59% yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 7.32-7.30 (m, 4H), 7.21-7.18 (m, 2H), 7.12-7.06 (m, 2H), 5.10 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 4.77 (br s, 0.5H), 4.40 (d, J=12.6 Hz, 0.5H), 4.10-3.95 (m, 1H), 3.61-3.42 (m, 2H), 3.35-3.32 (m, 2H), 3.26-3.25 (m, 1.5H), 3.15-2.90 (m, 4.5H), 2.78-2.56 (m, 6H), 2.00-1.95 (m, 0.5H), 1.59 (s, 4H), 1.50 (br s, 3.5H), 1.41 (br s, 1.5H), 1.27-1.23 (m, 1.5H); ¹³C NMR □ 174.0, 173.0, 172.0, 165.5, 162.2, 162.0, 137.2, 134.1, 132.9, 132.3, 130.0, 117.0, 116.7, 71.1, 58.5, 56.5, 52.3, 50.9, 50.2, 50.0, 46.5, 41.6, 38.8, 38.0, 35.1, 26.3, 24.6, 24.2, 17.0, 15.9. HRFAB(positive) m/e 546.264721 calculated for C₂₈H₃₇ClFN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺, Found 546.262559.

The following are non-limiting examples of compounds which comprise the second aspect of Category III.

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz δ): 7.47-7.42 (m,2H), 7.30 (br s, 2H), 7.18-7.06 (m, 3H), 5.11-5.04 (m, 1H), 4.34-4.30 (m, 0.5H), 3.98-3.93 (m, 1H), 3.36-3.34 (m, 6H), 3.11-2.90 (m, 5.5H), 2.69-2.30 (m, 4H), 1.98-1.84 (0.5H), 1.60 (s, 3H), 1.51-1.48 (m, 3H), 1.36-1.22 (m, 3H), 1.11-1.09(m, 1.5H). HRFAB(positive) m/e 580.225749 calculated for C₂₈H₃₆Cl₂FN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺, Found 580.225133.

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide HCl. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz with rotamers) □ 7.23 (m, 5H), 7.12 (m, 1H), 6.99 (m, 2H), 5.08 (m, 1H), 4.54-4.29 (m, 1H), 4.00-3.79 (m, 1H), 3.62-3.41 (m, 6H), 3.02 (m, 4H), 2.54, 2.50 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.32 (m, 1H), 1.93 (m, 1H), 1.62 (m, 1H), 1.54, 1.51, 1.42 (3 singlets, 6H, NH₂C(CH₃)₂C(O), rotamers), 1.11 (m, 1H), 0.86 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 173.2, 172.8, 172.1, 171.7, 167.6, 164.4, 162.8, 138.1, 135.7, 133.8, 132.6, 132.5, 131.5, 130.8, 129.2, 129.0, 116.8, 116.7, 116.5, 116.4, 74.2, 70.7, 70.3, 70.2, 69.4, 69.2, 68.3, 67.5, 67.1, 64.7, 64.5, 62.8, 62.3, 62.1, 58.5, 58.3, 54.6, 53.8, 53.0, 52.2, 52.0, 50.7, 50.4, 40.0, 38.8, 37.7, 36.5, 34.4, 32.8, 32.2, 26.3, 24.4, 24.3, 24.1, 20.4, 20.2, 18.5, 15.6, 14.6, 14.1; MS m/z (ESI): 574 (M+H, 100), 608 (M+2+H, 30).

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide HCl: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz with rotamers) □ 7.46-7.31 (m, 6H), 7.15 (m, 2H), 5.27 (m, 1H), 4.70-4.45 (m, 1H), 4.14 (m, 1H), 3.87-3.51 (m, 6H), 3.21 (m, 4H), 2.73, 2.70 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.42 (m, 1H), 2.07 (m, 1H), 1.73, 1.60 (2 singlets, 6H, NH₂C(CH₃)₂C(O), rotamers), 1.25 (m, 2H), 1.05 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 75 MHz with rotamers) □ 173.5, 172.0, 168.8, 165.5, 162.2, 135.8, 135.2, 134.9, 134.1, 132.8, 132.7, 132.6, 130.3, 116.8, 116.5, 74.0, 72.9, 71.0, 62.6, 58.6, 53.3, 52.3, 40.5, 39.1, 37.9, 34.5, 33.1, 32.5, 26.5, 24.6, 24.3, 20.7, 20.4, 14.4; MS m/z (ESI): 574 (M+H, 100), 576 (M+2+H, 37).

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz with rotamers) □ 7.83 (m, 1H), 7.47 (m, 5H), 7.25 (m, 2H), 5.35 (m, 1H), 4.84-4.52 (m, 1H), 4.19-3.90 (m, 1H), 3.76-3.62 (m, 1H), 3.48-2.92 (m, 9H), 2.86, 2.82 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.50-2.05 (m, 1H), 1.87 (m, 1H), 1.77, 1.70, 1.64 (3 singlets, 6H, NH₂C(CH₃)₂C(O), rotamers), 1.26 (m, 2H), 1.07 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 75 MHz with rotamers) □ 173.0, 172.9, 172.0, 171.8, 171.5, 171.4, 165.4, 162.2, 137.3, 136.8, 135.6, 134.3, 134.1, 133.5, 133.4, 132.9, 132.8, 132.7, 131.0, 130.0, 129.8, 128.4, 128.3, 117.0, 116.7, 116.4, 69.3, 58.5, 55.9, 54.9, 53.7, 52.4, 51.0, 50.4, 42.5, 39.3, 39.2, 38.1, 33.4, 33.2, 33.0, 32.5, 26.3, 24.6, 24.5, 24.3, 20.7, 20.6, 14.6; MS m/z (ESD: 574 (M+H, 100), 576 (M+2+H, 30).

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide trifluoroacetate. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz with rotamers) □ 7.44 (m, 1H), 7.28 (m, 4H), 7.05 (m, 2H), 5.14 (m, 1H), 4.51-4.30 (m, 1H), 3.98-3.66 (m, 1H), 3.48-3.36 (m, 1H), 3.23-2.82 (m, 8H), 2.69 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.55 (m, 1H), 2.19-1.78 (m, 1H), 1.64 (m, 1H), 1.57 (3 singlets, 6H, NH₂C(CH₃)₂C(O), rotamers), 1.07 (m, 2H), 0.86 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 75 MHz with rotamers) □ 173.3, 173.2, 172.8, 172.5, 172.0, 165.4, 162.2, 136.7, 136.3, 134.7, 134.6, 134.5, 134.3, 134.1, 132.9, 132.8, 132.7, 130.5, 130.4, 69.1, 69.0, 58.5, 56.1, 55.0, 53.9, 52.4, 51.3, 42.8, 39.4, 38.2, 33.1, 32.9, 32.7, 32.6, 26.3, 24.6, 24.5, 24.3, 20.6, 14.6; MS m/z (ESI): 608 (M+H, 100), 610 (M+2+H, 30).

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-butyramide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.13 (m, 6H), 6.87 (m, 2H), 4.96 (m, 1H), 4.43-4.10 (m, 1H), 3.85-3.70 (m, 1H), 3.53-3.10 (m, 4H), 3.01-2.81 (m, 4H), 2.63 (bs, 3H), 2.50 (m, 2H), 2.08 (m, 2H), 1.79-1.70 (m, 2H), 1.43, 1.31 (2 singlets, 6H, NH₂C(CH₃)₂C(O), rotamers), 0.96-0.74 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 173.5, 172.0, 169.0, 165.4, 162.2, 140.4, 134.0, 133.7, 132.8, 132.7, 131.5, 130.1, 116.8, 116.5, 69.7, 69.3, 58.5, 54.5, 52.9, 52.3, 50.9, 40.4, 37.9, 32.4, 30.5, 30.2, 27.8, 26.7, 24.6, 24.3, 20.4, 14.4; MS m/z (ESI): 588 (M+H, 100), 590 (M+2+H, 37).

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(2-fluorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.29-7.09 (m, 8H), 5.11 (m, 1H), 4.70-4.30 (m, 1H), 4.00 (m, 1H), 3.50 (m, 1H), 3.17-3.00 (m, 7H), 2.67 (bs, 5H), 2.38-1.90 (m, 1H), 1.60, 1.52, 1.49 (3 singlets, 6H, NH₂C(CH₃)₂C(O), rotamers), 1.33 (m, 1H), 1.06 (m, 1H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 173.0, 172.1, 171.6, 165.5, 164.7, 162.2, 161.5, 134.1, 133.2, 132.9, 130.3, 125.6, 117.0, 116.7, 116.4, 69.8, 58.5, 56.8, 56.4, 52.3, 51.3, 46.9, 42.2, 38.9, 38.6, 38.1, 29.4, 29.1, 26.3, 24.6, 24.3, 17.0, 16.0; MS m/z (ESI): 530 (M+H, 100).

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(2-fluorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 0.861 (m, 3H), 1.027 (m, 2H), 1.445, 1.508, 1.627 (3 singlets, 6H, NH₂C(CH₃)₂C(O), rotamers), 2.545 (t, 1H), 2.655, 2.696 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 3.082 (m, 5H), 3.440 (t, 1H), 3.674 (m, 1H), 3.959 (d, 1H, J=13.8), 4.282 (d, 1H, J=13.5), 4.905 (m, 1H), 5.131 (m, 1H), 7.069 (m, 4H), 7.271 (m, 4H) ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 43.059, 44.958, 45.830; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 165.4, 164.8, 162.7, 162.2, 161.5, 134.3, 164.0, 133.2, 132.8, 132.7, 130.3, 129.9, 126.6, 125.5, 117.0, 116.7, 116.4, 91.8, 69.9, 58.8, 56.1, 55.1 54.0, 52.3, 51.3, 43.1, 39.6, 38.2, 33.1, 32.6, 29.3, 26.2, 24.7, 24.5, 24.3, 20.6, 14.6; MS m/e 558 (M+1).

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3-fluorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 1.113 (m, 3H), 1.380 (m, 2H), 1.720, 1.743, 1.816(3 singlets, 6H, NH₂C(CH₃)₂C(O), rotamers), 2.680 (t, 1H), 2.854, 2.900 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 3.281 (m, 5H), 3.352 (m, 3H), 3.492 (t, 1H), 3.845 (t, 1H), 4.333 (d, 1H), 4.600 (d, 1H), 4.863 (m, 1H), 5.389 (m, 1H), 7.266 (m, 5H), 7.519 (m, 3H) ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 44.806, 47.319, 47.342; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 132.9, 132.8, 132.6, 131.4, 131.3, 126.6, 117.5, 117.2, 117.0, 116.7, 116.6, 116.4, 114.7, 114.5, 114.4, 114.3, 71.1, 71.0, 56.2, 55.0, 53.9, 52.3, 43.1, 39.6, 39.4, 38.1, 35.6, 35.2, 33.1, 32.3, 26.2, 24.6, 24.5, 24.3, 14.6; MS m/e 560 (M+1); MS m/e 560 (M+1).

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 0.895 (m, 3H), 1.183 (m, 2H), 1.454, 1.513, 1.585 (3 singlets, 6H, NH₂C(CH₃)₂C(O), rotamers), 2.630, 2.669 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 3.0461 (m, 6H), 3.195 (m, 2H), 3.480 (m, 1H), 4.607 (m, 1H), 5.164 (m, 1H), 7.041 (m, 4H), 7.220 (m, 2H), 7.313 (m, 2H); ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 43.995, 44.249, 46.696, 47.232; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 165.4, 162.2, 135.4, 134.7, 134.2, 132.8, 132.7, 132.5, 132.4, 117.1, 116.7, 116.5, 116.4, 116.2, 113.6, 71.3, 58.5, 54.9, 53.7, 52.4, 42.3, 38.1, 34.9, 34.6, 33.1, 32.6, 26.3, 24.6, 24.5, 24.3, 20.7, 20.6, 14.5; MS m/e 560 (M+1)

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 0.887 (m, 3H), 1.108 (m, 2H), 1.350, 1.515, 1.583 (3 singlets, 6H, NH₂C(CH₃)₂C(O), rotamers), 2.293 (t, 1H), 2.649, 2.691 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 3.051 (m, 5H), 3.166 (m, 3H), 3.325 (m, 2H), 3.715 (m, 1H), 4.029 (d, 1H), 4.327 (d, 1H), 5.161 (m, 1H), 7.035 (m, 3H), 7.170 (m, 2H), 7.298 (m, 2H); ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 44.732; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 162.5, 162.0, 134.3, 132.8, 132.7, 127.2, 119.6, 119.4, 118.5, 118.3, 117.0, 116.6, 116.4, 71.1, 58.5, 56.0, 55.0, 53.9, 52.3, 51.1, 42.8, 39.3, 38.1, 35.0, 33.2, 32.7, 26.2, 24.6, 24.5, 24.2, 20.6, 14.6; MS m/e 578 (M+1).

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 0.852 (m, 3H), 1.055 (m, 2H), 1.397 (m, 1H), 1.765 (m, 1H), 1.988 (m, 1H), 2.360 (m, 1H), 2.510 (m, 1H), 2.632, 2.700 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.869 (m, 3H), 3.071 (m, 4H), 4.249 (m, 1H), 4.502 (m, 1H), 5.167 (m, 1H), 7.043 (m, 5H), 7.293 (m, 2H); ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □37.110, 41.494, 45.143, 45.873; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 132.8, 132.7, 119.1, 117.0, 116.7, 116.4, 69.6, 61.4, 56.2, 55.0, 54.1, 52.1, 51.5, 43.3, 39.7, 38.6, 33.2, 32.6, 31.6, 29.1, 26.3, 25.3, 20.6, 14.6; MS m/e 676 (M+1).

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-isopropyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 7.73-7.91 (m, 3H), 7.69 (s, 1H), 7.42-7.55 (m, 2H), 7.21-7.42 (m, 3H), 6.94-7.18 (m, 2H), 5.09-5.31 (m, 1H), 4.57-4.78 (m, 1H), 4.32-4.49 (m, 0.5H), 4.04-4.21 (m, 0.5H), 3.76-4.20 (m, 1H), 3.52-3.76 (m, 1H), 3.15-3.42 (m, 5H), 2.88-3.10 (m, 3H), 2.50-2.83 (m, 1H), 2.14-2.30 (m, 0.5H), 1.62-1.85 (m, 1H), 1.53-1.62 (m, 3H), 1.42-1.53 (m, 3H), 1.18-1.41 (m, 1H), 0.98-1.14 (m, 3H), 0.58-0.84 (m, 3.5H), 0.25-0.58 (m, 2.5H), −0.18-0.09 (m, 2H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, MeOD)

173.08, 172.77, 172.25, 171.52, 170.25, 169.51, 165.42, 162.76, 162.20, 136.31, 135.36, 134.31, 134.17, 132.81, 132.71, 129.60, 129.02, 128.89, 127.59, 127.15, 117.03, 116.73, 116.68, 116.39, 71.13, 58.50, 56.27, 54.60, 54.03, 52.59, 52.38, 51.53, 50.17, 42.81, 42.39, 39.32, 38.97, 37.99, 36.12, 35.82, 35.16, 24.63, 24.30, 23.00, 22.61, 22.51, 9.27, 9.10, 5.63, 4.79; MS (ESMS) e/z 630.8 (M+H)⁺.

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃)

7.73-7.92 (m, 3H), 7.69 (s, 1H), 7.40-7.58 (m, 2H), 7.18-7.40 (m, 3H), 6.95-7.16 (m, 2H), 5.08-5.30 (m, 1H), 4.62-4.77 (m, 0.5H), 4.32-4.46 (m, 0.5H), 4.04-4.18 (m, 0.5H), 3.81-3.94 (m, 0.5H), 3.64-3.75 (m, 0.5H), 3.48-3.61 (m, 0.5H), 2.85-3.40 (m, 8H), 2.68-2.79 (m, 0.5H), 2.43-2.68 (m, 3H), 1.99-2.11 (m, 0.5H), 1.12-1.78 (m, 8H), 0.48-0.62 (m, 0.5H), 0.21-0.48 (m, 2.5H), −0.21-0.00 (m, 2H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃)

173.11, 172.78, 172.19, 172.02, 171.51, 136.58, 136.07, 135.36, 134.31, 132.79, 129.44, 129.04, 128.91, 127.60, 127.07, 117.06, 116.77, 116.67, 116.39, 71.24, 58.50, 56.40, 54.56, 54.18, 52.55, 52.37, 51.55, 50.17, 49.74, 42.41, 39.38, 39.01, 36.03, 35.84, 35.66, 35.08, 26.33, 24.63, 24.54, 24.30, 24.24, 9.23, 9.07, 5.62, 5.55, 4.70; MS (ESMS) e/z 602.6 (M+H)⁺.

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-(2-fluoroethyl)-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 7.39-7.48 (m, 2H), 7.25-7.34 (m, 2H), 7.12-7.21 (m, 1H), 6.95-7.12 (m, 2H), 5.08-5.22 (m, 1H), 4.20-4.58 (m, 3H), 3.93-4.02 (m, 0.66H), 3.68-3.78 (m, 0.33H), 3.38-3.60 (m, 3H), 2.71-3.20 (m, 8H), 2.49-2.63 (m, 1H), 1.84-1.94 (m, 0.33H), 1.62-1.72 (m, 0.66H), 1.40-1.59 (m, 7H), 0.94-1.36 (m, 2H), 0.83-0.93 (m, 3H); MS (ESMS) m/z 640.6, 642.6, 644.5 (M+H)⁺, Cl₂ isotope pattern.

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 7.38-7.4(m, 2H), 7.23-7.45 (m, 2H), 3.97-7.18 (m, 3H), 5.05-5.20 (m, 1H), 4.44-4.55 (m, 0.66H), 4.27 (d, J=13.2 Hz, 0.33H), 3.94 (d, J=13.2 Hz, 0.66H), 3.59-3.70 (m, 0.33H), 2.74-3.28 (m, 8H), 2.71 (s, 1.25H), 2.67 (s, 1.75H), 2.36-2.49 (m, 1H), 2.06-2.20 (m, 0.33H), 1.25-1.73 (m, 8.66H), 0.94-1.22 (m, 2H), 0.86 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 3H); MS (ESMS) m/z 608.4, 610.6, 612.3 (M+H)⁺, Cl₂ isotope pattern.

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-isopropyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 7.38-7.49 (m, 2H), 7.24-7.36 (m, 2H), 6.98-7.21 (m, 3H), 5.10-5.24 (m, 1H), 4.47-4.58 (m, 0.66H), 4.24-4.35 (m, 0.33H), 3.84-4.15 (m, 1.66H), 3.68-3.78 (m, 0.33H), 2.75-3.32 (m, 7H), 2.43-2.57 (m, 1.60H), 2.20-2.33 (m, 0.4H), 1.85-1.95 (m, 0.40H), 1.64-1.77 (m, 0.60H), 1.41-1.61 (m, 7H), 0.83-1.30 (m, 12H); MS (ESMS) m/z 636.4, 638.7, 640.8 M+H)⁺, Cl₂ isotope pattern.

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-fluoroethyl)-propionamide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz with rotamers) □ 7.49-7.36 (m, 6H), 7.24 (m, 2H), 5.33 (m, 1H), 4.76-4.38 (m, 3H), 4.22-3.93 (m, 1H), 3.72-3.53 (m, 3H), 3.36-3.08 (m, 6H), 2.90 (m, 2H), 2.58-2.13 (m, 1H), 1.92 (m, 1H), 1.74, 1.69, 1.66, 1.61 (4 singlets, 6H, NH₂C(CH₃)₂C(O), rotamers), 1.27 (m, 3H), 1.07 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 75 MHz with rotamers) □ 173.0, 172.9, 172.0, 171.5, 165.5, 162.2, 138.4, 137.8, 134.3, 134.0, 132.8, 132.7, 132.4, 129.9, 117.0, 116.7, 116.4, 84.4, 82.2, 71.0, 58.5, 55.8, 55.0, 53.9, 52.4, 51.0, 42.5, 41.3, 41.0, 39.3, 39.1, 38.1, 35.1, 34.7, 33.2, 32.7, 24.6, 24.5, 24.3, 20.7, 20.6, 14.6; MS m/z (ESI): 606 (M+H, 100), 608 (M+2+H, 37); Anal. Calcd for C₃₅H₄₄ClF₈N₅O₇ 0.5 TFA: C, 48.52; H, 5.03; N, 7.86. Found: C, 48.43; H, 4.82; N, 7.84.

The third aspect of Category III comprises compounds having the formula:

wherein R is a substituted phenyl unit as described herein above and non-limiting examples of R¹, R^(7a), R⁸, and Q are defined herein below in Table XII and in the examples which follow. TABLE XII No. R¹ R^(7a) Q R⁸ 956 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 957 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 958 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 959 iso-propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 960 cyclopropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 961 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 962 allyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 963 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 964 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 965 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 966 iso-propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 967 cyclopropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 968 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 969 allyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 970 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 971 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 972 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 973 iso-propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 974 cyclopropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 975 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 976 allyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 977 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 978 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 979 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 980 iso-propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 981 cyclopropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 982 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 983 allyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 984 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 985 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 986 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 987 iso-propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 988 cyclopropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 989 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 990 allyl —C(O)NHCH₃ pyrrolidin-2-yl (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 991 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1-yl 992 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1-yl 993 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1-yl 994 iso-propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1-yl 995 cyclopropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1-yl 996 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1-yl 997 allyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1-yl 998 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 999 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 1000 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 1001 iso-propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 1002 cyclopropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 1003 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 1004 allyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 1005 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 1006 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 1007 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 1008 iso-propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 1009 cyclopropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 1010 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 1011 allyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 1012 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 1013 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 1014 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 1015 iso-propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 1016 cyclopropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 1017 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 1018 allyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1-yl 1019 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (2,4- 1-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1020 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (2,4- 1-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1021 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (2,4- 1-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1022 iso-propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (2,4- 1-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1023 cyclopropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (2,4- 1-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1024 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (2,4- 1-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1025 allyl —C(O)NHCH₃ 1-aminocycloprop- (2,4- 1-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1026 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1027 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1028 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1029 iso-propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1030 cyclopropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1031 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1032 allyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1033 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 1034 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 1035 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 1036 iso-propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 1037 cyclopropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 1038 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 1039 allyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 1040 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 1041 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 1042 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 1043 iso-propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 1044 cyclopropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 1045 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 1046 allyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (3-chlorophenyl)methyl 1047 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1048 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1049 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1050 iso-propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1051 cyclopropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1052 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1053 allyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1054 methyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1055 ethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1056 propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1057 iso-propyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1058 cyclopropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1059 cyclopropylmethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1060 allyl —C(O)NHCH₃ azetidin-2-yl (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl

The compounds of the third aspect of Category III can be suitably prepared by the procedure outlined herein below, utilizing final analogs from the first aspect of this Category as starting points, for example, compound 45, as depicted in Scheme XIV herein below.

EXAMPLE 14 Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methyl-carbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate (49)

Preparation of 2-[2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl) piperazin-1-yl]-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethylcarbamoyl]-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (48): 2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propioamide HCl, 45, (0.5 g, 0.7 mmol) and Boc-L-proline (0.17 g, 0.78 mmol), 1-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (0.19 g, 1.4 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.16 g, 0.86 mmol) are dissolved in anhydrous DMF (2.5 mL). The reaction mixture is cooled to 0° C., then N-methylmorpholine (0.6 mL, 5.3 mmol) is added. This reaction mixture is placed in a refrigerator overnight. EtOAc (25 mL) and water (75 mL) are added, and the organic layer is separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×30 mL). All organic layers are combined and washed with water (2×50 mL), and dried over Na₂SO₄. Solvent is removed in vacuo to afford 0.5 g of the desired product.

Preparation of pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methyl-carbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate (49): 2-[2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl) piperazin-1-yl]-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethylcarbamoyl]-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, 48, (0.5 g) is dissolved in 4M hydrogen chloride in dioxane (10 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. 1,2-dichloroethane (10 mL) is added. The organic layers are combined and concentrated in vacuo and the crude product is purified by preparative HPLC to afford the desired product. A small amount of product is converted into free base by treating with NaHCO₃ to obtain NMR spectra. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz δ): 8.22-8.17 (m, 1H), 7.82-7.47 (m, 4H), 7.47-7.35 (m, 3H), 7.29-7.12 (m, 3H), 6.61-6.45 (m, 1H), 5.13 (quartet, J=8.1 Hz, 0.5H), 5.02 (quartet, J=6.9 Hz, 0.5H), 4.45 (br s, 0.5H), 4.34-4.30 (m, 0.5H), 3.75-3.70 (m, 1H), 3.66-3.63 (m, 2H), 3.50 (br s, 1H), 3.40-3.15 (m, 3H), 3.02-2.83 (m, 5H), 2.81-2.75 (m, 4H), 2.50-2.11 (m, 4H), 1.83-1.75 (m, 2H), 1.70-1.44 (4H), 0.79-0.73 (m, 2H); ¹³C NMR, □ 1174.7, 172.1, 170.4, 137.7, 135.2, 133.7, 132.2, 131.3, 131.1, 129.0, 128.7, 128.2, 127.9, 127.7, 126.2, 125.6, 70.8, 60.7, 55.2, 52.1, 51.3, 50.9, 50.3, 50.0, 49.5, 49.2, 47.5, 41.9, 39.9, 38.7, 38.7, 32.4, 31.8, 31.1, 30.9, 26.2, 23.3, 22.4, 14.5, 10.8, 10.0; HRFAB(positive) m/e 604.305443 Calculated for C₃₄H₄₂ClN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺, Found 604.308207.

The following are non-limiting examples of procedures for preparing other analogs encompassed with the third aspect of Category III.

Preparation of Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(1-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide: 2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propioamide HCl, 41, (0.3 g, 0.6 mmol) and Boc-L-proline (0.13 g, 0.6 mmol), 1-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (0.13 g, 1.1 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.16 g, 0.86 mmol) are dissolved in anhydrous DMF (2.5 mL). The reaction mixture is cooled to 0° C., then N-methylmorpholine (0.2 mL, 1.7 mmol) is added. This reaction mixture is placed in a refrigerator overnight. EtOAc (25 mL) and water (75 mL) are added, and the organic layer is separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×30 mL). All organic layers are combined and washed with water (2×50 mL), and dried over Na₂SO₄. Solvent is removed in vacuo to afford 0.39 g of the desired product.

The crude product obtained above is dissolved in 4M hydrogen chloride in dioxane (10 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. 1,2-dichloroethane (10 mL) is added. The organic layers are concentrated in vacuo gives the crude HCl salt of the product which was then purified by preparative HPLC to give the TFA salt of product (0.2 g, 0.23 mmol, 42% yield). A small amount of product was converted into the free base by treating with NaHCO₃ to obtain NMR spectra. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz δ): 7.75-7.55 (m, 4H), 7.40-7.22 (m, 3H), 7.12-7.02 (m,2H), 6.92-6.80 (m, 2H), 6.50-6.28 (m, 1H), 5.10-4.90 (m, 1H), 4.58-4.20 (m, 1H), 3.79-3.20 (m, 4H), 3.10-2.60(m, 9H), 2.50-2.30 (m, 1H), 2.22-1.50 (m, 11H), 0.80-0.68 (m, 3). HRFAB(positive) m/e 588.3350 calculated for C₃₄H₄₂FN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺.

Preparation of 5-oxo-pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid[2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazine-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoro-acetate: 2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propioamide hydrochloride (0.78 g, 0.83 mmol) and L-pyroglutamic acid (0.11 g, 0.83 mmol), 1-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (0.19 g, 1.0 mmol) and 1-hydroxy-benzotriazole (0.22 g, 1.66 mmol) are dissolved in anhydrous DMF (4 mL). The reaction mixture is cooled to 0° C., then N-mathylmorpholine (0.6 mL, 5.46 mmol) is added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 3-4 hrs. EtOAc (30 mL) and water (100 mL) are added, and the organic layer is separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×30 mL). The organic layers are combined, washed with water (2×50 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, then concentrated in vacuo to provide a crude product which is purified by preparative HPLC to afford 0.14 g of the desired product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz δ): 7.83-7.78 (m, 3H), 7.69 (s, 1H), 7.48-7.45 (m, 2H), 7.35-7.28 (m, 3H), 7.10-7.00 (m, 2H), 5.20-5.11 (m, 1H), 4.69 (br s, 0.5H), 4.50 (d, J=13.9 Hz, 0.5H), 4.19-4.17 (m, 1.5H), 3.96-3.85 (m, 1H), 3.74 (t, J=8.4 Hz, 0.5H), 3.58-3.54 (m, 0.5H), 3.44-3.26 (m, 8H), 3.11-2.91 (m, 3H), 2.85-2.74 (m, 0.5H), 2.57-2.51 (m, 3H), 2.36-2.22 (m, 3H), 2.12-2.09 (m, 0.5H), 3.96-1.85-1.76 (m, 1.5H), 1.73-1.61 (m, 1H), 0.87-0.76 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR, (CDCl₃, 75 MHz)

182.0, 176.0, 175.0, 173.0, 172.0, 168.0, 166.0, 163.0, 135.4, 134.5, 134.3, 134.1, 134.0, 133.0, 132.9, 132.8, 129.9, 129.7, 129.6, 129.1, 129.0, 128.6, 127.8, 127.5, 127.3, 117.1, 116.8, 116.5, 71.4, 71.0, 58.1, 56.2, 53.6, 53.4, 51.9, 51.5, 51.0, 40.6, 39.8, 38.3, 37.6, 35.45, 30.9, 27.2, 26.5, 24.1, 23.4, 11.0; HRFAB(positive) m/e 602.314258 calculated for C₃₄H₄₀FN₅O₄ (M+H)⁺.

Preparation of azetidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide. 2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propioamide, 41, (0.78 g, 0.83 mmol) and Boc-L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (0.17 g, 20.83 mmol), 1-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (0.19 g, 1.0 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.22 g, 1.66 mmol) are dissolved in anhydrous DMF (2 mL). The reaction mixture is cooled to 0° C., then N-methylmorpholine (0.6 mL, 5.46 mmol) is added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 4 hrs. EtOAc (30 mL) and water (100 mL) are added, and the organic layer is separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×30 mL). All organic layers are combined and washed with water (2×50 mL), and dried over Na₂SO₄. The solution is concentrated in vacuo to afford the desired product which is used without further purification.

2-[2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methyl-carbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-ylethyl)-piperazin-1-yl-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethylcarbamoyl]-azetidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester is dissolved in DCM/TFA/H₂O (2/1/0.1) (10 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. 1,2-dichloroethane (10 mL) is added. The organic layers are combined, washed with water (2×50 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, then concentrated in vacuo to provide a crude product which is purified by preparative HPLC to afford 32 mg of the desired product. (HCS3621-118). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, δ): 7.90-7.84 (m, 3H), 7.75 (s, 1H), 7.54-7.51 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.34 (m, 3H), 7.18-7.08 (m, 2H), 5.30-5.25 (m, 1H), 5.06-5.00 (m, 1.5H), 4.59 (bs s, 0.5H), 4.43 (d, J=14.2 Hz, 0.5H), 4.21-4.11 (m, 1.5H), 4.00-3.91 (m, 1H), 3.80-3.69 (m, 1H), 3.55 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 0.5H), 3.40-3.38 (m, 3H), 3.32-3.20 (m, 4H), 3.17-2.75 (m, 6H), 2.73-2.67 (m, 1.5H), 2.51-2.24 (m, 1.5H), 2.02-1.54 (m, 2.5H), 0.88-0.77 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR, (CDCl₃, 75 MHz) □ 172.0, 169.0, 165.4, 162.3, 136.8, 136.1, 135.4, 134.2, 133.9, 133.0, 132.8, 132.7, 129.5, 129.4, 129.0, 128.9, 127.6, 127.1, 127.0, 117.1, 116.8, 116.5, 71.3, 60.2, 57.1, 54.2, 52.4, 52.0, 51.9, 50.5, 50.0, 49.9, 49.7, 49.1, 45.5, 42.2, 39.7, 38.5, 35.9, 35.7, 26.3, 25.3, 24.0, 23.4, 11.1; HRFAB(positive) m/e 574.319344 calculated for C₃₃H₄₀FN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺, Found 574.320780.

Preparation of azetidine-3-carboxylic acid [2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoro-acetate: 2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propioamide, 41, (0.78 g, 0.83 mmol) and Boc-azetidine-3-carboxylic acid (0.17 g, 0.83 mmol), 1-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (0.19 g, 1.0 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.22 g, 1.66 mmol) are dissolved in anhydrous DMF (2 mL). The reaction mixture is cooled to 0° C., then N-methylmorpholine (0.6 mL, 5.46 mmol) is added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 3-4 hrs. EtOAc (30 mL) and water (100 mL) are added, and the organic layer is separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×30 mL). All organic layers are combined and washed with water (2×50 mL), and dried over Na₂SO₄. The solution is concentrated in vacuo to afford the desired product which is used without further purification.

3-[2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-ylethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethylcarbamoyl]-azetidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester is dissolved in DCM/TFA/H₂O (2/1/0.1) (10 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. 1,2-dichloroethane (10 mL) is added, the solvent removed in vacuo to give a residue which is purified by preparative HPLC to afford 300 mg of the desired product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, δ): 7.71-7.64 (m, 3H), 7.55-7.54 (m, 1H), 7.40-7.31 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.13 (m,3H), 6.97-6.87 (m, 3), 5.00 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 4.46 (br s, 0.5H), 4.32 (d, J=13.8 Hz, 0.5H), 4.08-3.86 (m, 6H), 3.68-3.63 (m, 0.5H), 3.60-3.49 (m, 1.5H), 3.47-3.41 (m, 0.5H), 3.25-3.00 (m, 2H), 3.14-3.03 (m, 3H), 2.98-2.65 (m, 5.5H), 2.54-2.35 (m, 3H), 1.77-1.56 (m, 1.5H), 1.55-1.36 (m, 0.5), 0.69-0.58 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR, (CDCl₃, 75 MHz) □ 175.0, 173.0, 172.0, 166.0, 163.0, 135.4, 134.1, 133.0, 132.9, 132.8, 132.7, 129.7, 129.5, 129.4, 129.0, 128.9, 128.8, 128.7, 127.7, 127.6, 127.3, 127.1, 117.1, 116.8, 116.5, 71.3, 71.2, 56.8, 53.9, 53.4, 52.2, 52.0, 51.9, 50.7, 50.3, 50.1, 50.0, 49.1, 41.6, 39.7, 38.4, 37.0, 35.7, 26.4, 24.0, 23.4, 11.1; HRFAB(positive) m/e 574.317945 calculated for C₃₃H₄₀FN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺, Found 574.319344.

The following are non-limiting examples of other analogs which comprise the third aspect of Category III.

N-[2-{4-[2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-methyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-isonicotinamide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, δ): 8.85 (s, 2H), 8.20-7.00 (m, 10H), 5.40-5.30 (m, 1H), 4.50-4.05 (m, 2H), 3.70-2.88 m, 8H), 2.80-2.65 (m, 4H), 1.90-1.05 (m, 6H); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 175.0, 167.0, 149.1, 148.0, 146.0, 138.0, 134.0, 133.0, 132.4, 130.1, 124.8, 116.9, 71.6, 55.7, 52.8, 51.2, 50.3, 50.0, 49.7, 46.4, 41.0, 39.0, 38.3, 34.9, 26.4, 17.1, 15.9. HRFAB(positive) m/e 566.233421 calculated for C₃₀H₃₃ClFN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺, Found 566.231196.

N-[2-{4-[2-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-isonicotinamide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 8.80 (s, 1H), 7.97 (s, 1H), 7.39-7.30 (m, 5H), 7.10-7.02 (m, 4H), 5.40 (br s, 1H), 4.60 (br s, 1H), 4.45-4.38 (m, 0.5H), 4.18-4.10 (m, 0.5H), 3.70 (br, s, 0.5H), 3.60-3.52 (m, 1H), 3.42-2.85 (m, 9H), 2.78-2.60 (m, 3H), 2.40-2.30 (1H), 1.98-1.78 (m, 2H), 1.62-1.52 (m, 1H), 0.78-0.74 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 75 MHz) □ 175.0, 174.0, 172.0, 166.5, 165.5, 162.2, 148.2, 148.0, 140.2, 139.1, 134.1, 133.7, 133.0, 132.9, 132.7, 132.3, 132.0, 131.8, 130.8, 125.2, 117.1, 116.8, 116.6, 91.0, 70.7, 57.1, 53.8, 53.4, 53.0, 52.6, 52.2, 50.8, 50.3, 50.0, 49.7, 41.8, 39.5, 38.8, 38.3, 34.4, 26.4, 24.0, 23.4, 11.1. HRFAB(positive) m/e 614.210099 calculated for C₃₁H₃₄Cl₂FN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺, Found 614.210894.

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid[2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-methyl-piperazine-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 7.65-7.60 (m, 2H), 7.49 (s, 2H), 7.36-7.25 (m, 3H), 5.33-5.30 (m, 1.5H), 4.92 (br s, 0.5H), 4.56-4.42 (m, 1.5H), 4.21-4.18 (m, 1H), 3.66-3.62 (m, 1H), 3.59-3.48 (m, 5H), 3.45-3.17 (m, 7H), 2.85-2.82 (m, 4H), 2.56 (br s, 1.5H), 2.25-2.02 (m, 3.5H), 1.52-1.50 (m, 1.5H), 1.32-1.26 (m, 1H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 75 MHz): δ 174.0, 170.0, 165.5, 162.2, 140.3, 139.8, 133.9, 133.5, 132.9, 131.8, 130.7, 117.0, 116.7, 116.5, 113.3, 70.9, 70.8, 61.4, 56.6, 56.4, 52.0, 51.2, 50.3, 50.0, 49.7, 49.4, 47.7, 46.8, 42.0, 39.2, 38.5, 34.9, 34.7, 31.6, 26.3, 25.3, 17.1, 16.0. HRFAB(positive) m/e 592.225749 calculated for C₂₉H₃₆Cl₂FN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺, Found 592.224706.

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid[2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-methyl-piperazine-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, δ): 7.32-7.30 (m, 4H), 7.21-7.18 (m, 2H), 7.10-7.03 (m, 2H), 5.18-5.10 (m, 1H), 4.79 (br s, 0.5H), 4.42 (d, J=13.5 Hz, 0.5H), 4.25 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 4.10-4.00 (m, 1.5H), 3.60-3.57 (m, 1H), 3.50-3.43 (m, 1H), 3.42-3.27 (m, 6H), 3.20-2.89 (m, 4.5H), 2.82-2.75 (m, 0.5H), 2.63 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 4H), 2.46-2.30 (m, 1H), 2.08-1.75 (m, 4H), 1.38 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1.5H), 1.12 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1.5H); ¹³C NMR □ 174.0, 170.0, 165.5, 162.5, 162.2, 137.4, 134.3, 133.9, 132.9, 132.5, 130.0, 119.9, 117.0, 116.8, 116.5, 116.0, 71.0, 61.4, 56.3, 52.0, 50.9, 50.3, 50.0, 49.7, 47.7, 46.5, 41.5, 39.1, 38.4, 38.0, 35.1, 31.6, 26.3, 25.3, 17.0, 16.0. HRFAB(positive) m/e 558.264721 calculated for C₂₉H₃₇ClFN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺, Found 558.263046.

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoracetate. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, δ): 7.45-7.41 (m, 2H), 7.32-7.28 (m, 2H), 7.17-7.01 (m, 3H), 5.22-5.15 (m, 1H), 4.49 (br s, 0.5H), 4.35-4.21 (m, 1.5), 4.02 (d, J=13.2 Hz, 0.5H), 3.67 (br s, 0.5), 3.46-3.25 (m, 5H), 3.20-2.84 (m, 6H), 2.80-2.52 (m, 5H), 2.38-2.26 (m, 1H), 2.05-1.54 (m, 6H0, 0.82-0.73 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR □ 173.0, 172.0, 171.0, 170.0, 169.0, 165.4, 162.2, 140.8, 140.1, 133.9, 133.4, 132.9, 131.8, 131.7, 130.7, 117.0, 116.7, 116.4, 70.8, 61.4, 57.3, 54.4, 52.6, 52.1, 52.0, 50.3, 50.0, 49.7, 49.4, 49.1, 47.7, 42.5, 39.6, 39.1, 38.5, 34.7, 34.5, 31.6, 26.3, 25.2, 24.0, 23.4, 11.1. HRFAB(positive) m/e 606.241399 calculated for C₃₀H₃₈Cl₂FN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺, Found 606.240332.

1-Amino-Cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, δ): 7.55-6.90 (m, 7H), 5.18-4.22 (m, 3.5H), 4.02-3.90 (m, 0.5H), 3.70-2.15 (m, 17H), 1.88-1.12 (m, 6H), 0.80-0.6 (m, 2H). HRFAB(positive) m/e 592.225749 calculated for C₂₉H₃₆Cl₂FN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺, Found 592.224973.

N-[2-{4-[2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-(2-fluoroethylcarbamoyl)-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-isonicotinamide HCl: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 9.11 (br s, 2H), 8.42 (br s, 2H), 7.46-7.32 (m, 6H), 7.11 (m, 2H), 5.41 (m, 1H), 4.72-4.11 (m, 4H), 3.94-3.17 (m, 12H), 2.40-0.98 (m, 7H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 171.9, 167.9, 165.5, 162.3, 145.4, 135.0, 133.8, 132.9, 132.6, 130.4, 130.0, 126.9, 116.9, 116.7, 84.2, 82.0, 71.1, 54.4, 53.3, 52.9, 51.4, 50.7, 41.5, 41.2, 40.4, 38.1, 34.4, 33.2, 32.6, 20.4, 14.4; MS m/z (ESI): 626 (M+H, 100), 628 (M+2+H, 37).

N-[2-{4-[2-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-isonicotinamide HCl: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 8.85 (d, 2H, J=5.0 Hz), 8.20 (d, 2H, J=5.5 Hz), 7.31 (s, 1H), 7.19-7.11 (m, 4H), 6.86 (m, 2H), 5.15 (m, 1H), 4.45-4.14 (m, 1H), 3.78 (m, 1H), 3.16 (m, 1H), 3.34 (m, 4H), 3.07-2.99 (m, 5H), 2.43, 2.38 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.10-0.70 (m, 7H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 171.9, 168.0, 165.5, 165.4, 162.3, 151.1, 145.0, 136.6, 136.0, 134.6, 134.1, 133.8, 132.9, 130.9, 129.1, 127.0, 117.2, 116.9, 116.7, 69.2, 68.7, 54.5, 53.9, 53.0, 51.7, 51.2, 40.3, 39.2, 38.1, 37.2, 33.1, 32.5, 32.2, 26.6, 20.7, 20.4, 14.4; MS m/z (ESI): 628 (M+H, 100), 630 (M+2+H, 70).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-propyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl)}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.11 (m, 6H), 6.85 (m, 2H), 4.97 (m, 1H), 4.43-4.07 (m, 2H), 3.87-3.68 (m, 1H), 3.49-3.08 (m, 4H), 3.00-2.80 (m, 4H), 2.61 (bs, 3H), 2.47 (m, 2H), 2.17-2.03 (m, 4H), 1.82-1.44 (m, 6H), 1.00-0.72 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 172.0, 170.0, 168.8, 165.5, 140.3, 133.8, 132.8, 131.5, 130.1, 116.8, 116.5, 70.0, 61.4, 54.4, 51.9, 51.1, 47.7, 40.3, 38.2, 32.4, 31.5, 30.4, 26.7, 25.3, 20.4, 14.4; MS m/z (ESI): 600 (M+H, 100), 602 (M+2+H, 37).

2-{4-[2-Aminosulfonyl amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) 6.80˜8.00 (m, 11H), 4.62 (m, 1H), 4.41 (m, 1H), 3.91 (m, 1H), 2.90˜3.50 (m, 10H), 2.46 (d, J=2.7 Hz, 3H), 1.58 (m, 2H), 0.80˜1.50 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz), 171.58, 166.73, 138.61, 132.85, 131.34, 131.29, 131.18, 128.98, 128.49, 127.93, 127.83, 126.82, 126.56, 116.09, 115.80, 68.56, 53.79, 52.28, 47.97, 47.54, 38.92, 38.40, 34.09, 30.50, 26.40, 19.10, 13.54; MS (ES-MS) m/z 584 (M+1).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-2-oxo-ethyl)-amide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 0.84 (t, 3H), 1.055 (m, 2H), 1.39 (m, 2H), 1.83 (m, 5H), 2.36 (m, 2H), 2.67, 2.70 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 3.02 (m, 8H), 3.95 (m, 1H, J=12.3), 4.22 (m, 1H), 4.49 (m, 1H), 5.17 (m, 1H), 7.07 (m, 4H), 7.27 (m, 4H); ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 42.67, 42.69, 44.86, 45.59; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 133.2, 132.8, 129.9, 125.5, 117.0, 116.7, 116.4, 69.8, 61.4, 56.1, 55.0, 54.1, 52.0, 51.4, 50.2, 47.7, 43.1, 39.7, 38.6, 32.6, 31.6, 29.3, 29.0, 26.2, 25.3, 20.6, 14.6; MS m/e 572 (M+1).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-2-oxo-ethyl)-amide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 0.90 (t, 3H), 1.12 (m, 2H), 1.53 (m, 2H), 1.78 (m, 2H), 1.98 (m, 5H), 2.36 (m, 1H), 2.60, 2.64 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.85 (m, 1H), 3.05 (m, 8H), 3.33 (m, 8H), 3.55 (m, 1H), 4.24 (m, 1H), 4.74 (m, 1H), 5.19 (m, 1H), 7.05 (m, 4H), 7.22 (m, 2H), 7.31 (m, 2H); ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 44.92, 45.29, 45.38, 46.17; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 165.5, 162.9, 162.2, 134.9, 133.9, 132.8, 132.6, 132.5, 117.1, 116.7, 116.6, 116.5, 116.3, 71.3, 61.4, 55.5, 54.7, 52.0, 50.3, 41.8, 38.4, 34.8, 34.6, 33.2, 32.5, 31.6, 26.4, 25.3, 20.7, 20.5, 14.5; MS m/e 570 (M+1).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-2-oxo-ethyl)-amide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 0.929 (m, 3H), 1.179 (m, 2H), 1.53 (m, 2H), 1.776 (m, 2H), 1.97 (m, 5H), 2.34 (m, 2H), 2.63, 2.67 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.79 (m, 1H), 3.04 (m, 8H), 3.33 (m, 8H), 3.689 (m, 1H), 4.69 (m, 1H), 5.19 (m, 1H), 7.04 (m, 1H), 7.18 (m, 3H), 7.31 (m, 3H); ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 19.44, 19.98, 22.28, 22.61, 45.27, 46.08; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 171.6, 171.3, 169.4, 169.2, 164.4, 162.8, 162.3, 162.1, 133.7, 132.7, 132.6, 132.5, 132.5, 127.0, 119.4, 119.3, 119.3, 118.4, 118.2, 118.1, 116.7, 116.6, 116.4, 116.3, 70.7, 70.6, 61.1, 54.6, 51.8, 50.5, 49.9, 49.6, 49.4, 38.2, 34.5, 32.4, 31.3, 26.1, 25.0, 25.0, 20.3, 14.3; MS m/e 589 (M+1).

N-[2-{4-[2-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-isonicotinamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 0.90 (t, 3H), 1.140 (m, 2H), 1.52 (m, 2H), 1.79 (m, 1H), 1.96 (m, 1H), 2.61, 2.67 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 3.03 (m, 3H), 3.22 (m, 5H), 3.33 (m, 3H), 3.78 (m, 1H), 4.77 (m, 1H), 5.33 (m, 1H), 7.12 (m, 5H), 7.35 (m, 2H), 8.16 (d, 2H, J=5.7, 2-pyr-H), 8.93 (d, 2H, J=4.2, 3-pyr-H); ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 22.322, 22.354, 22.787, 45.402, 46.214; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 165.5, 150.1, 149.9, 145.6, 145.4, 134.2, 132.9, 132.8, 132.7, 127.2, 124.2, 119.7, 119.4, 119.3, 118.7, 118.3, 118.2, 117.1, 116.8, 116.5, 114.6, 71.4, 71.1, 56.1, 54.4, 53.8, 52.7, 52.6, 51.1, 50.8, 42.7, 39.5, 38.4, 34.6, 33.3, 32.7, 26.3, 20.7, 20.6, 14.6; MS m/e 596 (M+1).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 0.847 (m, 3H), 1.264 (m, 2H), 1.427 (m, 5H), 1.450 (m, 5H), 1.853 (m, 3H), 2.037 (m, 1H), 2.696, 2.732 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.944 (m, 3H), 3.466 (m, 3H), 3.750 (m, 1H), 4.210 (m, 2H), 5.280 (m, 1H), 7.049 (m, 5H), 7.294 (m, 2H); ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 37.012, 41.402, 44.910, 45.792; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 132.8, 117.0, 116.7, 116.4, 69.6, 58.5, 55.2, 52.3, 50.2, 38.2, 32.6, 26.2, 24.7, 24.3, 20.6, 14.6; MS m/e 688 (M+1).

4-Amino-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 0.890 (m, 3H), 1.094 (m, 2H), 1.470 (m, 2H), 1.680 (m, 4H), 1.813 (m, 4H), 2.489 (m, 2H), 2.659, 2.776 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.894 (m, 2H), 3.012 (m, 3H), 3.989 (m, 1H), 4.295 (m, 1H), 4.531 (m, 1H), 5.112 (m, 1H), 7.024 (m, 3H), 7.159 (m, 2H), 7.294 (m, 3H); ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 18.657, 19.025, 21.450, 21.721, 44.742, 45.624; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 132.7, 127.1, 119.6, 119.3, 118.3, 116.9, 116.6, 116.3, 71.2, 56.0, 55.0, 54.1, 51.6, 51.1, 42.8, 40.8, 39.9, 385, 35.0, 33.2, 32.7, 28.6, 26.3, 26.0, 20.6, 14.6; HRMS m/e for C₃₃H₄₄F₃N₅O₃ (M+1) calc.: 616.347451, found: 616.349725.

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, MeOD, Rotamers) □ 7.39-7.48 (m, 2H), 7.24-7.36 (m, 2H), 6.99-7.20 (m, 3H), 5.08-5.26 (m, 1H), 4.48-4.60 (m, 0.66H), 4.18-4.38 (m, 1.33H), 3.95-4.07 (m, 0.66H), 3.64-3.74 (m, 0.33H), 3.21-3.32 (m, 1H), 2.76-3.19 (m, 6H), 2.71 (s, 1.4H), 2.66 (s, 1.6H), 1.59-2.10 (m, 3.7H), 1.35-1.54 (m, 1H), 0.99-1.28 (m, 2H), 0.83-0.93 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, MeOD, Rotamers) □ 171.93, 171.62, 170.64, 169.72, 169.44, 165.46, 163.16, 162.68, 162.21, 161.71, 133.96, 133.61, 133.45, 132.90, 132.73, 132.24, 131.93, 131.80, 130.74, 117.04, 116.76, 116.47, 70.70, 70.63, 61.35, 55.66, 54.86, 53.98, 52.06, 51.98, 50.57, 49.99, 49.35, 47.73, 41.99, 39.65, 38.80, 38.47, 34.60, 34.47, 33.18, 32.55, 31.64, 26.38, 25.28, 20.67, 20.57, 14.55; MS (ESMS) m/z 620.4, 622.4, 624.6 (M+H)⁺, Cl₂ isotope pattern.

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-isopropylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, MeOD, Rotamers) □ 7.39-7.50 (m, 2H), 7.24-7.36 (m, 2H)m, 7.00-7.21 (m, 3H), 5.11-5.28 (m, 1H), 4.48-4.59 (m, 0.6H), 4.17-4.36 (m, 1.4H), 3.84-4.05 (m, 1.6H), 3.70-3.81 (m, 0.4H), 2.76-3.26 (m, 8H), 2.46-2.63 (m, 1.4H), 2.22-2.41 (m, 1.6H), 1.62-2.28 (m, 4H), 1.42-1.57 (m, 1H), 0.83-1.37 (m, 12H); MS (ESMS) m/z 648.5, 650.6, 652.1 (M+H)⁺, Cl₂ isotope pattern

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide dihydrochloride. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.10-6.80 (m, 8H), 4.98 (m, 1H), 4.42-3.97 (m, 3H), 3.73-3.30 (m, 7H), 2.88 (m, 4H), 2.40, 2.36 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.19 (m, 1H), 1.80-1.45 (m, 6H), 0.98-0.68 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 171.8, 169.5, 167.5, 165.4, 162.2, 138.3, 135.9, 133.9, 132.9, 132.8, 131.8, 131.0, 129.5, 129.2, 117.1, 116.8, 116.5, 114.1, 74.5, 71.1, 70.6, 69.5, 62.6, 61.4, 54.7, 54.0, 53.5, 51.8, 51.2, 47.8, 40.2, 38.2, 34.7, 32.5, 31.6, 26.6, 25.3, 20.7, 20.4, 14.4; MS m/z (ESI): 586 (M+H, 100), 588(M+2+H, 37).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide dihydrochloride. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.18 (m, 6H), 6.92 (m, 2H), 5.04 (m, 1H), 4.48-3.82 (m, 3H), 3.56-3.16 (m, 8H), 3.01 (m, 4H), 2.46, 2.42 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.23 (m, 1H), 1.89-1.61 (m, 4H), 1.30-1.00 (m, 3H), 0.77 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 171.8, 170.0, 168.0, 165.5, 162.2, 135.0, 134.9, 134.0, 132.9, 132.8, 132.7, 130.3, 117.1, 116.8, 116.5, 97.8, 97.5, 74.5, 71.1, 70.6, 69.5, 62.6, 61.4, 54.7, 52.1, 51.9, 51.1, 50.6, 47.8, 40.3, 38.3, 34.4, 32.5, 31.6, 26.6, 25.4, 20.7, 20.4, 14.4; MS m/z (ESI): 586 (M+H, 100), 588 (M+2+H, 30).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.29 (m, 1H), 7.05 (m, 5H), 7.85 (m, 2H), 4.95 (m, 1H), 4.33-4.19 (m, 1H), 4.00 (m, 1H), 3.83-3.50 (m, 1H), 3.32-3.14 (m, 1H), 3.06-2.65 (m, 10H), 2.48 (m, 1H), 2.44, 2.41 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.11 (m, 1H), 1.79-1.44 (m, 4H), 1.21 (m, 1H), 0.90 (m, 2H), 0.65 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 173.0, 172.5, 172.4, 172.0, 168.6, 168.5, 165.4, 162.3, 137.5, 137.0, 135.6, 134.0, 133.5, 133.4, 133.0, 132.8, 132.7, 131.0, 129.9, 129.8, 128.4, 128.3, 117.0, 116.7, 116.4, 69.4, 69.3, 61.4, 56.0, 54.8, 53.8, 52.1, 51.1, 47.7, 42.8, 39.7, 38.5, 33.5, 33.3, 33.1, 32.5, 31.6, 26.3, 25.3, 20.6, 14.6; MS m/z (ESI): 586 (M+H, 100), 588 (M+2+H, 30).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.45 (m, 1H), 7.28 (m, 4H), 7.06 (dd, 2H, J=17.6, 8.8 Hz), 5.16 (m, 1H), 4.14-4.23 (m, 2H), 4.04-3.69 (m, 1H), 3.54-3.36 (m, 1H), 3.28-2.69 (m, 9H), 2.69, 2.65 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.35 (m, 2H), 1.98 (m, 4H), 1.63-1.41 (m, 2H), 1.07 (m, 2H), 0.86 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 172.5, 172.0, 171.9, 169.1, 169.0, 165.5, 162.3, 136.7, 136.4, 136.1, 134.8, 134.6, 134.5, 134.0, 133.9, 133.0, 132.9, 132.7, 130.5, 130.4, 128.6, 128.5, 117.0, 116.7, 116.4, 69.2, 69.0, 61.4, 56.1, 54.9, 54.0, 52.1, 51.2, 47.7, 42.8, 39.7, 39.3, 38.6, 33.2, 32.9, 32.7, 32.6, 31.6, 26.3, 25.3, 20.6, 14.6; MS m/z (ESI): 620 (M+H, 100), 622 (M+2+H, 70).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2-fluoroethylcarbamoyl)-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.12-7.03 (m, 6H), 6.88 (m, 2H), 5.00 (m, 1H), 4.41-4.01 (m, 4H), 3.90-3.60 (m, 1H), 3.34-2.57 (m, 12H), 2.47-2.13 (m, 2H), 1.84-1.53 (m, 4H), 1.32 (m, 1H), 1.00 (m, 3H), 0.71 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 172.0, 171.7, 171.5, 169.0, 165.5, 162.2, 138.5, 137.9, 134.0, 133.8, 132.8, 132.7, 132.4, 129.9, 129.8, 117.0, 116.7, 116.4, 84.5, 82.3, 71.1, 61.4, 55.9, 54.9, 54.0, 52.1, 51.0, 47.7, 42.7, 41.3, 41.0, 39.6, 39.2, 38.5, 35.1, 34.7, 33.3, 32.7, 31.6, 25.3, 20.7, 20.6, 14.6; MS m/z (ESI): 618 (M+H, 100), 620 (M+2+H, 37).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methyl-carbamoyl-ethyl]-2-methyl-piperazin-1-yl}-2-oxo-ethyl)-amide trifluoroacetate. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.27-7.03 (m, 8H), 5.13 (m, 1H), 4.69-4.30 (m, 1H), 4.24 (m, 1H), 3.99 (m, 1H), 3.49 (m, 2H), 3.16-3.00 (m, 8H), 2.65 (m, 5H), 2.38 (m, 1H), 2.00 (m, 4H), 1.30 (m, 1H), 1.05 (m, 1H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 171.9, 171.5, 169.6, 165.5, 164.7, 162.3, 161.5, 133.9, 133.3, 132.9, 130.2, 125.7, 117.0, 116.7, 116.4, 113.2, 69.9, 61.4, 56.7, 56.4, 52.0, 51.3, 47.8, 46.9, 42.2, 39.2, 38.5, 31.6, 29.3, 29.2, 26.3, 25.3, 17.1, 16.0; MS m/z (ESI): 542 (M+H, 100).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-[2-methyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, MeOD, Rotamers) □ 7.60-7.89 (m, 3H), 7.69 (s, 1H), 7.42-7.53 (m, 2H), 7.25-7.38 (m, 3H), 7.01-7.16 (m, 2H), 5.06-5.22 (m, 1H), 4.76-4.90 (m, 0.4H), 4.40-4.55 (m, 0.6H), 4.04-4.33 (m, 2H), 3.61-3.89 (m, 1H), 2.66-3.33 (m, 7H), 2.51-2.63 (m, 3H), 2.28-2.46 (m, 1H), 1.70-2.02 (m, 3H), 1.32-1.49 (m, 1.4H), 1.09-1.25 (m, 1.6H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, MeOD, Rotamers) □ 172.40, 171.96, 170.75, 170.50, 169.73, 165.49, 162.79, 162.25, 135.37, 134.37, 133.90, 133.86, 132.90, 129.63, 129.50, 129.05, 128.94, 128.73, 127.66, 127.26, 117.01, 116.78, 116.53, 71.30, 61.35, 56.20, 52.01, 50.26, 50.51, 50.14, 47.75, 46.33, 41.18, 39.13, 38.36, 37, 69, 35.82, 31.60, 26.38, 25.31, 17.03, 15.93; MS (ESMS) m/z 574.4 (M+H)⁺.

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-[4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) 7.42˜7.89 (m, 6H), 7.19˜7.34 (m, 3H), 6.96˜7.10 (m, 2H), 4.00˜4.90 (m, 6H), 3.30˜3.90 (m, 8H), 2.80˜3.20 (m, 3H), 2.50˜2.75 (m, 3H), 2.36 (m, 1H), 1.60˜2.10 (m, 5H), 1.25 (m, 2H), 0.95 (m, 3H); MS (ES-MS) m/z 602 (M+1).

A fourth aspect of Category III melanocortin receptor ligands relate to compounds wherein R^(5a) and R^(5b) are taken together to form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring having from 3 to 10 atoms, said compounds having the general scaffold with the formula:

wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl unit as described herein above and non-limiting examples of R¹, R^(5a)/R^(5b) ring, R^(7a), R⁸ and Q are defined herein below in Table XIII. TABLE XIII No. R¹ R^(5a)/R^(5b) ring Q R^(7a) R⁸ 1061 —CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1062 —CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1063 —CH₃ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1064 —CH₃ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1065 —CH₃ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1066 —CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1067 —CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1068 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1069 —CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1070 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1071 —CH₂CH₃ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1072 —CH₂CH₃ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1073 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1074 —CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1075 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1076 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1077 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1078 —CH₂CH═CH₂ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1079 —CH₂CH═CH₂ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1080 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1081 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1082 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1083 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1084 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1085 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1086 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1087 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1088 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1089 —CH₂(C₃H₅) cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1090 —CH₂(C₃H₅) cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1091 —CH₂(C₃H₅) cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1092 —CH₂(C₃H₅) azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1093 —CH₂(C₃H₅) azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1094 —CH₂(C₃H₅) cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1095 —CH₂(C₃H₅) cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1096 —CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1097 —CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1098 —CH₃ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1099 —CH₃ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1100 —CH₃ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1101 —CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1102 —CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1103 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1104 —CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1105 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1106 —CH₂CH₃ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1107 —CH₂CH₃ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1108 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1109 —CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1110 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1111 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1112 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1113 —CH₂CH═CH₂ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1114 —CH₂CH═CH₂ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1115 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1116 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1117 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1118 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1119 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1120 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1121 —CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1122 —CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1123 —CH₃ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1124 —CH₃ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1125 —CH₃ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1126 —CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1127 —CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1128 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1129 —CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1130 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1131 —CH₂CH₃ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1132 —CH₂CH₃ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1133 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1134 —CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1135 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1136 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1137 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1138 —CH₂CH═CH₂ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1139 —CH₂CH═CH₂ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1140 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1141 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1142 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1143 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1144 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1145 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1146 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ azetidin-3-yl —NH2 —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1147 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1148 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1149 —CH₂(C₃H₅) cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1150 —CH₂(C₃H₅) cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1151 —CH₂(C₃H₅) cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1152 —CH₂(C₃H₅) azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1153 —CH₂(C₃H₅) azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1154 —CH₂(C₃H₅) cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1155 —CH₂(C₃H₅) cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1156 —CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1157 —CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1158 —CH₃ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1159 —CH₃ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1160 —CH₃ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1161 —CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1162 —CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1163 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1164 —CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1165 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1166 —CH₂CH₃ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1167 —CH₂CH₃ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1168 —CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1169 —CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1170 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1171 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1172 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopentyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1173 —CH₂CH═CH₂ azetidin-2-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1174 —CH₂CH═CH₂ azetidin-3-yl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1175 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1176 —CH₂CH═CH₂ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1177 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1178 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NH₂ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1179 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclopropyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1180 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ cyclobutyl —NHCH₃ —C(O)N(CH₃)₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl

The compounds of the fourth aspect of Category III can be suitably prepared by the procedure outlined herein below, utilizing final analogs from the first aspect of this Category as starting points, for example, compound 41, as depicted in Scheme XVII herein below.

EXAMPLE 15 1-Amino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide (50)

Preparation of 1-amino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide (50): Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methylpropionamide, 41, (0.3 g, 0.43 mmol) and 1-amino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (87 mg, 0.43 mmol), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide (124 mg, 0.65 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (117 mg, 0.86 mmol) are dissolved in anhydrous DMF (2.5 mL). The reaction mixture is cooled to 0° C., then N-methylmorpholine (0.25 mL, 2.3 mmol) is added. The reaction mixture is placed in refrigerator overnight. EtOAc (25 mL) and water (75 mL) are added, and the organic layer is separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×30 mL). All organic layers are combined and washed with water (2×50 mL), and dried over Na₂SO₄. Solvent is removed in vacuo and the product dissolved in a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid, dichloro-methane, and water (1:2:0.1) and stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. 1,2-dichloroethane (10 mL) is added and the solvents are removed in vacuo and the resulting residue purified over prep HPLC to afford 232 mg (71% yield) of the desired compound. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 330 MHz): δ 7.55-6.90 (m, 7H), 5.18-4.22 (m, 3.5H), 4.02-3.90 (m, 0.5H), 3.70-2.15 (m, 17H), 1.88-1.12 (m, 6H), 0.80-0.6 (m, 2H). HRFAB(positive) m/e 592.225749 calculated for C₂₉H₃₆Cl₂FN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺, Found 592.224973.

The following are non-limiting examples of compounds which comprise the fourth aspect of Category III.

1-Amino-cylopropanecarboxylic acid {2-{4-{2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methyl-carbamoyl-ethyl]-2-methyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz)) δ 7.46-7.40-(m, 2H), 7.26-7.05 (m, 5H), 5.11-5.07 (m, 1H), 4.31 (d J=12.8 Hz, 0.5H), 4.01-3.92 (m, 1H), 3.44-3.38 (m, 0.5H), 3.35-3.33 (m, 4H), 3.11-2.95 (m, 8H), 2.68-2.66 (m, 5H), 2.33-2.29 (m, 1H), 1.80-1.32 (m, 6H).

HRFAB(positive) m/e 578.210099 calculated for C₂₈H₃₄Cl₂FN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺, Found 578.207967.

1-Amino-cylopropanecarboxylic acid {2-{4-{2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-methyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz)) δ 7.33-7.23 (m, 4H), 7.21-7.18 (m, 2H), 7.10-7.05 (m, 2H), 5.08 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 4.77 (br s, 0.5H), 4.40 (d, J=12.6 Hz, 0.5H), 4.05-4.00 (m, 1H), 3.68-3.60 (m, 0.5H), 3.50-3.40 (m, 0.5H), 3.34-3.24 (m, 3H), 3.20-2.80 (m, 8H), 2.66-2.60 (m, 4H), 1.98-1.90 (m, 0.5H), 1.69-1.60 (m, 1H), 1.55-1.40 (m, 5H), 1.13-1.00 (m, 1.5H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 75 MHz)) δ 174.0, 173.0, 172.0, 171.0, 165.5, 162.5, 162.2, 162.0, 137.4, 134.0, 132.8, 132.4, 130.0, 116.8, 71.1, 56.3, 52.3, 50.9, 50.3, 50.0, 49.7, 46.4, 41.4, 38.7, 38.0, 36.7, 35.0, 26.4, 17.0, 15.9, 13.9. HRFAB(positive) m/e 544.249071 calculated for C₂₉H₃₅ClFN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺, Found 544.248512.

1-Amino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2-fluoroethylcarbamoyl)-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz)) δ 7.50-7.38 (m, 6H), 7.25 (m, 2H), 5.33 (m, 1H), 4.76-4.49 (m, 3H), 4.23-3.90 (m, 1H), 3.73-3.54 (m, 2H), 3.40-3.01 (m, 8H), 2.83 (m, 1H), 2.52-2.04 (m, 1H), 1.90-1.06 (m, 11H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 75 MHz)) δ 172.2, 171.8, 171.5, 170.9, 165.5, 162.2, 138.5, 137.8, 134.2, 134.0, 133.8, 132.7, 132.6, 132.4, 129.9, 117.1, 116.7, 116.5, 84.5, 82.2, 71.0, 55.9, 54.9, 53.7, 52.3, 51.0, 42.5, 41.3, 41.0, 39.2, 38.0, 36.7, 35.1, 34.7, 33.2, 32.7, 20.8, 20.6, 14.6, 13.9, 13.8; MS m/z (ESI): 604 (M+H, 100), 606 (M+2+H, 37).

1-Methylamino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2-fluoroethylcarbamoyl)-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz, with rotamers) □ 7.50-7.40 (m, 6H), 7.27 (dd, 2H, J=18.9, 10.1 Hz), 5.36 (m, 1H), 4.76-4.49 (m, 3H), 4.22-3.94 (m, 1H), 3.70-3.57 (m, 2H), 3.35-3.04 (m, 8H), 2.90 (s, 3H), 2.83 (m, 1H), 2.48-2.07 (m, 1H), 1.94-1.05 (m, 11H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 75 MHz, with rotamers) □ 172.4, 172.0, 171.6, 169.6, 165.5, 162.4, 138.6, 138.0, 134.3, 132.8, 132.4, 129.9, 117.0, 116.7, 116.4, 113.7, 84.5, 82.3, 71.1, 55.9, 55.0, 53.8, 52.3, 51.1, 44.0, 42.6, 41.3, 41.0, 39.3, 39.1, 38.0, 35.1, 34.7, 33.3, 32.7, 20.6, 14.6, 13.8; MS m/z (ESI): 618 (M+H, 100), 620 (M+2+H, 37).

1-Amino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz, with rotamers) □ 7.39-7.09 (m, 8H), 5.22 (m, 1H), 4.66-4.38 (m, 1H), 4.14-3.75 (m, 1H), 3.56-2.89 (m, 10H), 2.75, 2.72 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.37-0.95 (m, 11H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 75 MHz, with rotamers) □ 172.5, 172.2, 171.8, 170.9, 170.5, 165.3, 162.2, 138.6, 137.8, 134.1, 132.7, 132.3, 129.9, 129.8, 117.1, 116.7, 116.5, 71.2, 55.9, 54.9, 53.7, 52.3, 50.9, 42.4, 39.2, 38.0, 36.7, 35.1, 34.8, 33.1, 32.6, 26.3, 20.7, 20.6, 14.6, 13.9, 13.8; MS m/z (ESI): 572 (M+H, 100), 574(M+2+H, 37).

1-Methylamino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz, with rotamers) □ 7.46-7.16 (m, 8H), 5.30 (m, 1H), 4.77-4.47 (m, 1H), 4.24-3.87 (m, 1H), 3.74 (m, 1H), 3.43-3.04 (m, 8H), 2.86, 2.85 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.81, 2.77 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(CH₂—CH₂)C(O), rotamers), 2.58-2.00 (Im, 1H), 1.83-1.02 (m, 11H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 75 MHz, with rotamers) □ 172.1, 171.7, 171.2, 169.8, 165.5, 162.2, 138.4, 137.5, 134.2, 133.8, 132.8, 132.7, 132.4, 130.0, 129.8, 117.1, 116.8, 116.5, 71.1, 55.8, 54.9, 53.6, 52.3, 50.7, 44.1, 42.2, 39.1, 37.9, 35.0, 34.8, 33.3. 33.2, 32.6, 26.3, 20.7, 20.6, 14.5, 13.8, 13.6; MS m/z (ESI): 586 (M+H, 100), 588 (M+2+H, 37).

1-Amino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz, with rotamers) □ 7.45 (m, 1H), 7.26 (m, 4H), 7.06 (m, 2H), 5.12 (m, 1H), 4.57-4.35 (m, 1H), 4.05-3.63 (m, 2H), 3.41-2.87 (m, 6H), 2.68, 2.64 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.28-1.74 (m, 1H), 1.65-0.77 (m, 11H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 75 MHz, with rotamers) □ 172.2, 171.9, 171.0, 170.6, 165.4, 162.5, 162.2, 136.5, 136.3, 135.4, 135.0, 134.5, 134.1, 132.9, 132.8, 132.6, 130.6, 130.5, 128.7, 128.5, 119.9, 117.1, 116.8, 116.5, 69.0, 68.9, 55.9, 54.7, 52.3, 50.8, 42.2, 39.2, 38.0, 36.7, 33.0, 32.7, 32.5, 26.4, 20.7, 20.6, 14.6, 14.0, 13.8; MS m/z (ESI): 606 (M+H, 100), 608 (M+2+H, 70).

1-Methylamino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide trifluoroacetate. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz, with rotamers) □ 7.55 (m, 1H), 7.39 (m, 4H), 7.19 (m, 3H), 5.25 (m, 1H), 4.59-4.36 (m, 1H), 4.06-3.75 (m, 1H), 3.57-2.98 (m, 9H), 2.98, 2.85, 2.77 (3 singlets, 6H, CH₃NHC(O) and CH₃NHC(CH₂—CH₂)C(O), rotamers), 2.65 (m, 1H), 2.24-0.94 (m, 11H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, 75 MHz, with rotamers) □ 172.8, 172.6, 172.0, 171.6, 169.6, 136.8, 136.3, 134.5, 134.1, 132.8130.4, 128.5, 117.3, 116.7, 116.4, 69.2, 69.1, 63.6, 56.3, 55.0, 52.4, 52.2, 51.6, 44.1, 43.2, 39.7, 39.2, 38.0, 36.0, 33.2, 33.0, 32.8, 32.6, 26.3, 20.6, 14.7, 13.8, 13.6; MS m/z (ESI): 620 (M+H, 100), 622(M+2+H, 70).

1-Amino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-methyl-piperazin-1-yl}-2-oxo-ethyl)-amide trifluoroacetate. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.27-7.03 (m, 8H), 5.07 (t, 1H, J=7.7 Hz), 4.68-4.33 (m, 1H), 3.99 (m, 1H), 3.52 (m, 1H), 3.19-2.97 (m, 7H), 2.74-2.63 (m, 5H), 2.37-1.82 (m, 1H), 1.66 (m, 1H), 1.49-1.29 (m, 4H), 1.01 (m, 1H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 172.2, 171.8, 170.9, 165.5, 164.7, 162.2, 161.4, 134.1, 133.3, 132.8, 130.3, 125.7, 117.0, 116.8, 116.4, 65.8, 56.6, 56.4, 52.3, 51.2, 46.8, 42.0, 38.8, 38.5, 38.0, 36.7, 29.3, 26.3, 17.0, 15.9, 13.9; MS m/z (ESI): 528 (M+H, 100).

1-Amino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1-methyl-carbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 0.880 (m, 3H), 1.177 (m, 2H), 1.393 (m, 2H), 1.444 (m, 2H), 1.493 (m, 2H), 1.651 (m, 1H), 2.631, 2.669 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 3.182 (m, 3H), 3.206 (m, 3H), 3.753 (m, 1H), 4.692 (m, 1H), 5.129 (m, 1H), 7.040 (m, 3H), 7.145 (m, 2H), 7.288 (m, 2H), ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 19.561, 20.168, 22.322, 22.663, 45.202, 46.12; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 163.3, 162.8, 162.2, 137.8, 137.1, 134.2, 134.1, 132.9, 132.7, 132.6, 127.2, 119.6, 119.4, 118.5, 118.4, 118.3, 118.2, 117.1, 116.7, 116.4, 71.114, 71.0, 56.1, 54.9, 52.3, 51.2, 50.3, 50.1, 42.9, 38.0, 36.7, 34.9, 33.1, 32.7, 26.3, 20.7, 20.6, 14.6, 13.9, 13.8; MS m/e 674 (M+1).

1-Methylamino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) □ 0.902 (m, 3H), 1.091 (m, 2H), 1.481 (m, 4H), 1.655 (m, 2H), 1.753 (m, 1H), □ 2.273 (m, 1H), 2.653, 2.713 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.707 (m, 5H), 3.046 (m, 4H), 3.166 (m, 1H), 4.580 (m, 1H), 5.160 (m, 1H), 7.045 (m, 3H), 7.142 (m, 2H), 7.278 (m, 2H), ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 18.901, 19.388, 21.878, 22.176, 45.099, 45.884; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD with rotamers) □ 134.3, 132.8, 132.7, 127.1, 119.6, 119.4, 118.2, 117.0, 116.7, 116.4, 71.1, 56.1, 55.0, 53.8, 52.3, 51.3, 50.2, 44.0, 43.0, 39.2, 38.0, 35.0, 34.6, 33.2, 32.7, 26.2, 20.6, 14.6, 13.7; MS m/e 588 (M+1).

The fifth aspect of Category III comprises compounds having the formula:

wherein R is a substituted phenyl unit as described herein above and non-limiting examples of R¹, R^(7a), R⁸, and Q are defined herein below in Table XIV and in the examples which follow. TABLE XIV No. R¹ Q R^(7a) R⁸ 1181 —CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1182 —CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (2-chlorophenyl)methyl 1183 —CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3- chlorophenyl)methyl 1184 —CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 1185 —CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1186 —CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1187 —CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1188 —CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (2- chlorophenyl)methyl 1189 —CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3- chlorophenyl)methyl 1190 —CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 1191 —CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1192 —CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1193 —CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1194 —CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (2- chlorophenyl)methyl 1195 —CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3- chlorophenyl)methyl 1196 —CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 1197 —CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1198 —CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1199 —CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1200 —CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (2- chlorophenyl)methyl 1201 —CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3- chlorophenyl)methyl 1202 —CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 1203 —CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1204 —CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1205 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1206 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (2- chlorophenyl)methyl 1207 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3- chlorophenyl)methyl 1208 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 1209 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1210 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1211 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1212 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (2- chlorophenyl)methyl 1213 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3- chlorophenyl)methyl 1214 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 1215 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1216 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ —CH₂OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1217 —CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1218 —CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (2- chlorophenyl)methyl 1219 —CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3- chlorophenyl)methyl 1220 —CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 1221 —CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1222 —CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1223 —CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1224 —CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (2- chlorophenyl)methyl 1225 —CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3- chlorophenyl)methyl 1226 —CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 1227 —CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1228 —CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1229 —CH₂CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1230 —CH₂CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (2- chlorophenyl)methyl 1231 —CH₂CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3- chlorophenyl)methyl 1232 —CH₂CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 1233 —CH₂CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1234 —CH₂CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1235 —CH₂CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1236 —CH₂CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (2- chlorophenyl)methyl 1237 —CH₂CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3- chlorophenyl)methyl 1238 —CH₂CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 1239 —CH₂CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1240 —CH₂CH₃ —OCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1241 —CH₃ —CH(CH₃)NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1242 —CH₃ —CH(CH₃)NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (2- chlorophenyl)methyl 1243 —CH₃ —CH(CH₃)NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3- chlorophenyl)methyl 1244 —CH₃ —CH(CH₃)NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 1245 —CH₃ —CH(CH₃)NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1246 —CH₃ —CH(CH₃)NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1247 —CH₂CH₃ —CH(CH₃)NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1248 —CH₂CH₃ —CH(CH₃)NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (2- chlorophenyl)methyl 1249 —CH₂CH₃ —CH(CH₃)NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3- chlorophenyl)methyl 1250 —CH₂CH₃ —CH(CH₃)NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 1251 —CH₂CH₃ —CH(CH₃)NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1252 —CH₂CH₃ —CH(CH₃)NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1253 —CH₃ —C(CH₃)₂NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1254 —CH₃ —C(CH₃)₂NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (2- chlorophenyl)methyl 1255 —CH₃ —C(CH₃)₂NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3- chlorophenyl)methyl 1256 —CH₃ —C(CH₃)₂NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 1257 —CH₃ —C(CH₃)₂NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1258 —CH₃ —C(CH₃)₂NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1259 —CH₂CH₃ —C(CH₃)₂NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1260 —CH₂CH₃ —C(CH₃)₂NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (2- chlorophenyl)methyl 1261 —CH₂CH₃ —C(CH₃)₂NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3- chlorophenyl)methyl 1262 —CH₂CH₃ —C(CH₃)₂NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (4- chlorophenyl)methyl 1263 —CH₂CH₃ —C(CH₃)₂NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1264 —CH₂CH₃ —C(CH₃)₂NHCH₃ —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl

The following are non-limiting examples of compounds which comprise the fifth aspect of Category III.

Preparation of 2-{3-ethyl-4-[3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(2-methoxy-acetylamino)-propionyl]-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: 2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propioamide HCl (0.3 g, 0.6 mmol) and methoxy acetic acid (0.05 mL, 0.6 mmol), 1-(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (0.22 g, 1.1 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.1 g, 0.7 mmol) are dissolved in anhydrous DMF (2.5 mL). The reaction mixture is cooled to 0° C., then N-methylmorpholine (0.2 mL, 1.7 mmol) is added. The reaction mixture is placed in a refrigerator overnight. EtOAc (25 mL) and water (75 mL) are added, the organic layer is separated, and the aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×30 mL). The organic extracts are combined, washed with water (2×50 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo and the resulting crude product is purified by preparative HPLC to afford 0.18 g (44% yield) of the trifluoroacetate salt of the desired product. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, δ): 7.88-7.68 (m, 4H), 7.49-7.00 (m, 7H), 5.25-5.12 (m, 1H), 4.98-4.92 (m, 4H), 4.70 (br s, 0.5H), 4.52 (d, J=13.0 Hz, 0.5H), 4.18 (d, J=10.4 Hz, 0.5H), 3.96 (dd, J=13.0, 6.5 Hz, 0.5H), 3.86 (s, 2H), 3.75 (t, J=3.9 Hz, 0.5H), 3.61 (d, J=13.0 Hz, 0.5H), 3.52-3.18 (m, 7H), 3.18-2.92 (m, 3H), 2.85-2.78 (m, 0.5H), 2.60-2.45 (m, 2H), 2.12-2.05 (m, 0.5H), 1.98-1.70 (m, 2H), 0.85-0.78 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR,

173.0, 172.0, 170.0, 168.0, 166.0, 163.0, 162.0, 135.5, 134.4, 134.1, 133.0, 132.8, 132.7, 129.9, 129.7, 129.6, 129.1, 129.0, 128.6, 127.8, 127.5, 127.3, 117.0, 116.8, 116.5, 72.7, 71.4, 71.0, 60.0, 56.0, 53.4, 51.5, 51.4, 51.1, 51.0, 40.5, 39.9, 38.4, 35.4, 35.3, 26.5, 24.1, 23.4, 11.0, 10.8. HRFAB(positive) m/e 563.3034 calculated for C₃₂H₃₉FN₄O₄ (M+H)⁺, Found 563.3051.

Preparation of [2-[2-ethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid methyl ester trifluoroacetate: To a cold solution of 2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propioamide HCl, 41, (0.3 g, 0.6 mmol) in anhydrous DCM (5 mL) is added methyl chloroformate (0.1 mL, 1.3 mmol) and DIEA (0.2 mL, 1.1 mmol). The reaction mixture is allowed to stir for 2 hours at this temperature. EtOAc (15 mL) and water (15 mL) are added, and the organic layer is separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×20 mL). All organic layers are combined and washed with water (2×20 mL), and dried over Na₂SO₄. Solvent is removed in vacuo and the product is purified by preparative HPLC to give TFA salt (0.14 g, 0.21 mmol, 35% yield). A small amount of product was converted into the free base by treating with NaHCO₃ to obtain NMR spectra. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, δ): 7.83-7.75 (m, 3H), 7.67 (s, 1H), 7.46-7.28 (m, 3H), 7.17-7.13 (m, 2H), 7.00-6.94 (m, 2H), 6.60-6.40 (m, 0.5H), 5.66-5.63 (m, 0.5H), 4.95-4.78 (m, 1H), 4.30 (br s, 0.5H), 4.32-4.28 (m, 0.5H), 3.68 (s, 2H), 3.61 (s, 1H), 3.50-3.28 (m, 3H), 3.00-2.76 (m, 8H), 2.55-2.40 (m, 2H), 2.19 (td, J=10.4, 2.6 Hz, 1H), 1.90-1.75 (m, 1H), 1.65-1.22 (m, 2H), 0.83 (quartet, J=7.2 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR; □ 171.9, 170.3, 169.8, 163.8, 160.5, 156.4, 137.3, 133.7, 132.3, 132.1, 132.0, 131.4, 131.3, 131.2, 128.3, 127.9, 127.8, 127.7, 126.3, 125.7, 115.9, 115.7, 115.4, 70.7, 70.5, 55.4, 52.5, 51.9, 51.7, 51.6, 51.1, 51.0, 50.2, 49.7, 41.8, 40.0, 39.2, 37.9, 32.3, 26.2, 26.0, 23.3, 22.2, 10.8, 10.4. HRFAB (positive) m/e 549.2877 calculated for C₃₁H₃₇FN₄O₄ (M+H)⁺, Found 549.2868.

3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-{4-[3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(2-methyl-2-methylamino-propionyl amino)-propionyl}-3-methyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-propionamide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, δ): 7.20-7.16 (m, 2H), 7.04 (br s, 2H), 6.91-(m, 3H), 4.85 (br s, 1H), 4.04 (d J=13.2 Hz, 0.5H), 3.76-3.55 (m, 1H), 3.12-3.07 (m, 7H), 2.81-2.58 (m, 6H), 2.44-2.30 (m, 6H), 1.58-1.55 (m, 0.5H), 1.33-1.22 (m, 6H), 1.08-0.95 (m, 2H), 0.85-0.83 (m, 1H). HRFAB(positive) m/e 594.241399 calculated for C₂₉H₃₈Cl₂FN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺, Found 594.238873.

3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-{4-[3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(2-methylamino-propionylamino)-propionyl]-3-methyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD): δ 7.59-7.54 9 m, 2H), 7.44 (bs, 2H), 7.30-7.19 (m, 3H), 5.28-5.19 (m, 1H), 4.44 (d, J=12.4 Hz, 0.5H), 4.14-3.95 (m, 2H), 3.61-3.60 (m, 0.5H), 3.48-3.46 (m, 3H), 3.32-2.92 (m, 7H), 2.82-2.78 (m, 4H), 2.72-2.67 (m, 5H), 1.97-1.87 (m, 0.5H), 1.64 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.47-1.34 (m, 1.5H), 1.24-1.22 (m, 1H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD): δ 173.0, 172.0, 170.0, 165.5, 162.3, 140.3, 139.8, 133.9, 133.5, 132.9, 131.8, 130.8, 116.8, 70.8, 58.6, 56.4, 51.8, 51.2, 50.3, 50.0, 49.6, 46.8, 42.0, 39.2, 38.5, 34.6, 32.2, 26.3, 17.2, 16.7, 16.0. HRFAB(positive) m/e 580.225749 calculated for C₂₈H₃₆Cl₂FN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺, Found 580.223868.

3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-dimethylamino-acetylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-propionamide. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD): δ 7.68-7.60 (m, 2H), 7.55-7.45 (m, 2H), 7.38-7.18 (m, 3H), 5.39-5.30 (m, 1H), 4.98-4.91 (m, 0.5H), 4.58-4.49 (m, 0.5H), 4.20-4.10 (m, 3H), 3.72-3.48 (m, 5H), 3.32-3.08 (m, 10H), 2.92-2.85 (m, 5H), 2.58-2.48 (m, 0.5H), 2.05-1.92 (m, 0.5H), 1.54-1.48 (m, 1.5H), 1.30-1.20 (m, 1.5H); ¹³C NMR □ 174.0, 172.0, 165.5, 162.7, 140.3, 139.9, 133.8, 133.5, 132.8, 131.8, 130.7, 117.1, 116.8, 116.5, 70.9, 70.7, 59.4, 56.6, 56.4, 52.0, 51.2, 50.2, 50.0, 49.6, 49.4, 49.1, 46.844.8, 42.0, 39.3, 38.5, 34.9, 34.7, 26.3, 17.1, 16.0. HRFAB(positive) m/e 580.225749 calculated for C₂₈H₃₆Cl₂FN₅O₃ (M+H)⁺, Found 580.223768.

2-{4-[3-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-methylamino-propionyl]-2-oxo-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-N-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, MeOD, Rotamers) □ 8.78-8.84 (m, 0.4H), 7.78-7.91 (m, 3H), 7.72 (s, 0.2H), 7.65 (s, 0.8H), 7.38-7.59 (m, 3H), 7.13-7.30 (m, 2H), 6.94-7.11 (m, 2H), 5.58-5.72 (m, 1H), 4.52-4.66 (m, 1.6H), 3.82-4.36 (m, 2H), 3.40-3.66 (m, 2H), 3.14-3.32 (m, 3.4H), 2.78-3.03 (m, 1.4H), 2.65-2.74 (m, 0.6H), 2.61 (s, 0.6H), 2.58 (s, 2.4H), 0.64-1.16 (m, 2H), 0.18-0.58 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) □ 172.83, 170.14, 168.35, 167.42, 165.92, 162.82, 162.66, 162.35, 135.67, 135.28, 134.39, 133.1, 133.05, 132.58, 132.46, 130.91, 130.39, 129.76, 129.16, 129.09, 128.90, 128.49, 128.07, 127.86, 127.35, 117.83, 117.54, 117.36, 117.08, 60.63, 60.70, 59.42, 58.46, 58.14, 57.32, 43.90, 43.13, 42.85, 42.36, 41.90, 41.44, 40.98, 40.96, 39.63, 37.38, 36.84, 35.92, 35.75, 32.58, 20.03, 19.88, 14.09; MS (ESMS) m/z 601.3 (M+H)⁺.

[2-{4-[2-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid methyl ester: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, MeOD, Rotamers) □ 7.40-7.50 (m, 2H), 7.23-7.34 (m, 2H), 7.12-7.21 (m,1H), 6.99-7.21 (m, 2H), 4.78-4.88 (m, 1H), 4.57-4.68 (m, 0.6H), 4.28-4.37 (m, 0.4H), 4.00-4.10 (m, 0.4H), 3.64 (s, 3H), 3.44-3.54 (m, 0.4H), 2.62-3.32 (m,12H), 2.12-2.28 (m, 0.4H), 1.26-1.77 (m, 2.5H), 0.94-1.26 (m, 1.5H), 0.88 (dd, J=13.2, 6.6 Hz, 3H); MS (ESMS) m/z 581.4, 583.2, 585.6 (M+H)⁺, Cl₂ isotope pattern.

[2-{4-[2-(2-Chlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid methyl ester trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.20 (m, 1H), 7.07 (m, 5H), 6.85 (m, 2H), 4.62 (m, 1H), 4.47-4.16 (m, 1H), 3.89-3.49 (m, 1H), 3.42 (s, 3H), 3.25-2.64 (m, 9H), 2.45, 2.40 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.10-1.60 (m, 1H), 1.42-1.23 (m, 2H), 0.90-0.66 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 172.7, 172.5, 172.0, 170.3, 165.4, 162.2, 159.3, 137.0, 135.6, 134.2, 133.5, 132.8, 132.7, 131.1, 130.9, 130.4, 129.9, 128.6, 128.4, 117.0, 116.4, 69.7, 69.3, 55.6, 54.0, 53.7, 53.4, 53.1, 51.5, 41.4, 40.2, 38.8, 33.2, 32.5, 26.4, 20.6, 20.5, 14.6; MS m/z (ESI): 547 (M+H, 100), 549 (M+2+H, 35).

[2-{4-[2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid methyl ester trifluoroacetate. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.45 (m, 4H), 7.20 (m, 2H), 7.05 (m, 2H), 4.84 (m, 1H), 4.72-4.03 (m, 1H), 4.16-3.76 (m, 1H), 3.70 (s, 3H), 3.43 (m, 1H), 3.24-2.97 (m, 8H), 2.66, 2.61 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.50-1.89 (m, 1H), 1.75-0.99 (m, 4H), 0.90 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 172.6, 172.3, 170.9, 169.3, 164.4, 162.8, 161.6, 161.4, 159.1, 158.7, 137.3, 135.9, 134.4, 134.1, 134.0, 132.7, 132.5, 132.2, 132.1, 130.0, 129.7, 118.4, 116.7, 116.5, 116.4, 116.3, 71.3, 70.8, 55.0, 53.9, 53.4, 53.2, 53.1, 52.9, 51.2, 49.9, 40.7, 39.8, 38.4, 38.0, 34.3, 33.0, 32.3, 26.2, 26.1, 20.4, 20.2, 14.3, 14.2; MS m/z (ESI): 547 (M+H, 100), 549 (M+2+H, 35).

[2-{4-[2-(3-Chlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid methyl ester trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.27 (m, 5H), 7.18 (m, 1H), 7.05 (m, 2H), 4.84 (m, 1H), 4.68-4.39 (m, 1H), 4.13-3.70 (m, 1H), 3.63 (s, 3H), 3.38-2.89 (m, 9H), 2.66, 2.61 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.37-1.81 (m, 1H), 1.69 (m, 1H), 1.47 (m, 1H), 1.11 (m, 2H), 0.90 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □173.0, 172.8, 172.0, 170.4, 165.4, 162.2, 159.3, 141.7, 140.3, 135.8, 135.6, 134.3, 132.9, 132.8, 132.7, 131.5, 131.3, 130.9, 129.3, 128.7, 128.2, 117.0, 116.7, 116.4, 71.5, 71.0, 55.5, 54.2, 53.8, 53.3, 53.1, 51.3, 41.3, 40.1, 38.7, 34.9, 33.2, 32.5, 26.4, 20.6, 20.5, 14.5; MS m/z (ESI): 547 (M+H, 100), 549 (M+2+H, 35).

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-{4-[3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propionylamino)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-propionamide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.18-7.09 (m, 6H), 6.94 (m, 2H), 4.97 (m, 1H), 4.59-4.29 (m, 1H), 3.99-3.66 (m, 1H), 3.53-3.28 (m, 1H), 3.15-2.75 (m, 8H), 2.54, 2.49 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.30-1.72 (m, 1H), 1.55-1.42 (m, 2H), 1.22, 1.16 (2 singlets, 6H, NH₂C(CH₃)₂C(O), rotamers), 1.01 (m, 2H), 0.80 (t, 3H, J=7.2 Hz); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 179.3, 178.9, 171.9, 171.8, 171.3, 169.8, 164.4, 162.8, 161.4, 161.2, 137.6, 136.3, 134.3, 133.8, 133.7, 132.8, 132.7, 132.6, 132.2, 132.1, 129.9, 129.7, 118.4, 116.7, 116.6, 116.4, 116.3, 73.8, 71.3, 70.9, 55.2, 54.2, 53.9, 51.2, 51.0, 50.8, 50.0, 40.9, 40.2, 38.6, 38.3, 34.6, 34.4, 33.2, 32.4, 28.0, 27.9, 27.8, 26.2, 26.1, 20.3, 20.2, 14.4, 14.3; MS m/z (ESD: 575 (M+H, 100), 577 (M+2+H, 30).

3-(3-Chlorophenyl)-2-{4-[3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propionylamino)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-propionamide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.17 (m, 5H), 7.07-6.89 (m, 3H), 4.98 (m, 1H), 4.59-4.30 (m, 1H), 4.00-3.66 (m, 1H), 3.54-3.27 (m, 1H), 3.13-2.75 (m, 8H), 2.54, 2.49 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.31-1.71 (m, 1H), 1.61-1.39 (m, 2H), 1.22, 1.16 (2 singlets, 6H, NH₂C(CH₃)₂C(O), rotamers), 1.02 (m, 2H), 0.80 (m 3H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 179.5, 179.1, 172.2, 172.0, 171.5, 170.0, 165.5, 162.2, 161.6, 161.1, 141.5, 140.1, 135.8, 135.6, 133.9, 132.9, 132.8, 131.5, 131.3, 129.3, 129.2, 128.7, 117.1, 116.7, 116.4, 74.0, 71.5, 71.0, 55.5, 54.5, 54.2, 51.5, 51.2, 51.1, 41.2, 40.5, 38.8, 38.5, 35.0, 34.9, 33.4, 32.6, 28.2, 28.1, 26.4, 20.5, 20.4, 14.5; MS m/z (ESI): 575 (M+H, 100), 577(M+2+H, 30).

3-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-{4-[3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propionyl-amino)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-propionamide trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.46 (d, 1H, J=8.8 Hz), 7.24 (m, 4H), 7.04 (dd, 2H, J=18.2, 8.9 Hz), 5.05 (m, 1H), 4.59-4.30 (m, 1H), 3.93-3.66 (m, 1H), 3.54-3.35 (m, 1H), 3.18-2.94 (m, 6H), 2.77 (m, 2H), 2.67, 2.62 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.15-1.69 (m, 1H), 1.58-1.41 (m, 2H), 1.31, 1.28, 1.25 (3 singlets, 6H, NH₂C(CH₃)₂C(O), rotamers), 1.10 (m, 2H), 0.86 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 179.0, 178.8, 172.2, 172.0, 171.5, 165.5, 162.2, 136.5, 136.4, 135.5, 135.0, 134.6, 134.0, 133.0, 130.6, 130.5, 128.7, 128.5, 117.0, 116.7, 116.4, 74.1, 69.4, 69.0, 56.0, 54.7, 54.2, 51.4, 51.0, 50.9, 42.0, 40.5, 39.1, 39.0, 33.5, 32.8, 32.7, 32.6, 28.3, 28.1, 26.4, 20.6, 20.4, 14.6; MS m/z (ESI): 609 (M+H, 100), 611 (M+2+H, 70).

{1-(4-Fluorobenzyl)-2-[4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-carbamic acid methyl ester. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 7.00˜7.90 (m, 11H), 4.84 (m, 1H), 3.80˜4.20 (m, 1H), 3.99˜3.90 (m, 14H), 2.66 (m, 3H), 1.50˜1.80 (m, 2H), 1.00˜1.40 (m, 2H), 0.93 (m, 3H); MS (ES-MS) m/z 563 (M+1).

2-{4-[3-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propionylamino)-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 6.93˜7.90 (m, 11H), 5.00˜5.18 (m, 1H), 3.20˜3.70 (m, 4H), 2.70˜3.01(m, 9H), 1.00˜1.70 (m, 10H), 0.88 (m, 3H); MS (ES-MS) m/z 591 (M+1).

2-{4-[3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-methylamino-propionyl]-3-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) □ 7.000˜7.83 (m, 11H), 3.20˜3.70 (m, 4H), 2.40˜3.10 (m, 10H), 2.05˜2.35 (m, 5H), 1.00˜1.83 (m, 4H), 0.91 (m, 3H); MS (ES-MS) m/z 535 (M+1).

[2-{4-[2-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid methyl ester trifluoroacetate: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.47 (d, 1H, J=8.7 Hz), 7.26 (m, 4H), 7.04 (dd, 2H, J=16.4, 8.1 Hz), 4.81 (m, 1H), 4.61-4.33 (m, 1H), 4.04-3.56 (m, 1H), 3.62 (s, 3H), 3.38 (m, 1H), 3.20-2.77 (m, 8H), 2.68, 2.64 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.19-1.72 (m, 1H), 1.57-1.39 (m, 2H), 1.03 (m, 2H), 0.86 (m, 3H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 173.3, 173.0, 171.0, 165.4, 162.2, 159.3, 158.9, 136.4, 135.2, 134.6, 134.3, 133.0, 132.8, 132.7, 130.6, 130.5, 128.7, 128.5, 116.9, 116.7, 116.4, 69.4, 69.1, 55.8, 54.2, 53.9, 53.4, 53.1, 51.2, 50.6, 41.8, 40.2, 39.1, 38.8, 33.2, 32.7, 32.5, 26.4, 20.5, 14.6; MS m/z (ESI): 581 (M+H, 100), 583 (M+2+H, 70)

2-{4-[3-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(2-methylamino-acetylamino)-propionyl]-3-methyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD, Rotamers) □ 7.75-7.89 (m, 3H), 7.69 (s, 1H), 7.22-7.54 (m, 5H), 6.99-7.15 (m, 2H), 5.03-5.22 (m, 1H), 4.34-4.49 (m, 0.6H), 3.42-4.12 (m, 6H), 2.48-3.30 (m, 9H), 1.85-2.00 (m, 1H), 1.02-1.43 (m, 3H); MS (ESMS) m/z 548.4 (M+H)⁺.

The compounds which comprise Category III are also compounds wherein R^(7a) is hydrogen, as described herein above, and as provided by example in the description of Category II analogs according to the present invention.

The Category IV melanocortin receptor ligands according to the present invention comprises the 2-hydrocarbyl-pyrrolidines having the general scaffold with the formula:

the first aspect of which comprises pyrrolidine analogs having the formula:

wherein R, R¹, and R⁸ are defined herein above. The compounds which comprise the first aspect of Category IV can be prepared by the procedure outline herein below in Scheme XVI. Starting material 51 can be obtained from N-Boc-3-(R)-hydroxypyrrolidine as set forth therein below.

Preparation of N-Boc-3-R-hydroxypyrrolidine: Di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (14.0 g, 63.1 mmol) is added to a stirred solution of 3-R-hydroxypyrrolidine (5.0 g, 57.4 mol) and triethylamine (16 mL, 114.8 mmol) dissolved in dichloromethane (58 ml) at 0° C. The resulting solution is allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for 4 hours. The solution is then diluted with dichloromethane (50 mL), washed twice with 1 N HCl and twice with aq. NaHCO₃ solution. The organic layer is then dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give the desired product (9.9 g, 92%) as a white solid which is sufficiently pure for use without further purification.

Preparation of N-Boc-2-S-allyl-4-R-hydroxypyrrolidine: A solution of N-Boc-3-R-hydroxypyrrolidine (3.0 g, 16.0 mmol), and TMEDA (6.4 mL, 40.1 mmol) is dissolved in THF (50 mL) and cooled to −78° C. To this reaction mixture is added a solution of 1.3 M sec-butyl lithium (50 mL) in cyclohexanes with stirring. The resulting orange-colored mixture is allowed to warm to −40° C. and stirred for 2.75 hours. The mixture is again cooled to −78° C. and allyl bromide (3.1 mL, 35.3 mmol) is added. This mixture is slowly warmed to room temperature with stirring over 4.5 hours. The reaction is quenched with aq. NH₄Cl solution and extracted with ethyl acetate (150 mL). The organic layer is then dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The oily residue is purified over silica gel (CH₂Cl₂/acetone, 3:1) to afford the desired product (2.0 g, 56%) as a clear oil.

Preparation of N-Boc-2-(S)-allyl-4-(R)-(benzyloxy)pyrrolidine: Sodium hydride (408 mg, 11.5 mmol) is added in portions to a stirred solution of N-Boc-2-S-allyl-4-R-hydroxypyrrolidine (2.0 g, 8.8 mmol) in DMF at 0° C. and the reaction mixture is stirred for 20 min. Benzylbromide (2.3 g, 13.2 mmol) in DMF(5 mL) is then added and the resulting solution is stirred for 5 hours at room temperature. The reaction is quenched with aq. NH₄Cl solution and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers are dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to a yellow oil. The oil residue is purified over silica gel (hexanes/EtOAc, 6:1) to afford the desired product as a clear oil.

EXAMPLE 16 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid [2-(2-allyl-4-benzyloxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-1-(4-fluor-benzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide (56)

Preparation of 2-allyl-4-benzyloxy-pyrrolidine (52): 2-Allyl-4-benzyloxy-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, 51, (0.76 g, 2.4 mmol) is dissolved in methylene chloride (33 mL), and trifluoroacetic acid (25 mL) is added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 1 hour and then concentrated in vacuo. MeOH (40 mL) is added and the solvent is removed in vacuo to afford the desired product in approximately quanitative yield as a viscous oil which is used without further purification.

Preparation of [2-(2-allyl-4-benzyloxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (53): To a solution of 2-allyl-4-benzyloxy-pyrrolidine, 52, (0.52 g. 2.4 mmol) in DMF (15 mL) are added Boc-D-(4-fluorophenyl)alanine (0.74 g, 2.6 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (0.73 g, 4.8 mmol), and N-methylmorpholine (1.5 g, 14.4 mmol), EDC (0.55 g, 2.9 mmol) at 0° C. The reaction mixture is stirred at 0° C. for 1 hr and then warmed to room temp and stirred an additional 1.5 hr. The reaction is quenched with saturated NH₄Cl solution and the mixture is extracted 3 times with EtOAc (70 mL). The organic layers are combined, washed with saturated NaCl solution, dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is removed in vacuo. The crude product is purified over silica (88/12 hexane/ethyl acetate) to afford 0.67 g (58% yield) of the desired compound as a white solid. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, MeOD, Rotamers) δ 7.20-7.50 (m, 6.6H), 6.52-7.10 (m, 2.4H), 5.58-5.85 (m, 1H), 4.85-5.20 (m, 2H), 4.30-4.61 (m, 3H), 3.11-4.25 (m, 5H), 2.85-3.05 (m, 2H), 2.47-2.80 (m, 1H), 1.83-2.27 (m, 2H), 1.33-1.48 (m, 9H); MS (ESMS) m/z 483.1 (M+H)⁺.

Preparation of 1-(2-allyl-4-benzyloxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-2-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propan-1-one (54): [2-(2-Allyl-4-benzyloxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester, 53, (0.67 g, 1.4 mmol) is dissolved in methylene chloride (21 mL), and trifluoroacetic acid (9 mL) is added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 1 hourr and then concentrated in vacuo. MeOH (40 mL) is added and the solvent is removed in vacuo to afford the desired product in approximately quanitative yield as a viscous oil which is used without further purification.

Preparation of 3-[2-(2-allyl-4-benzyloxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethylcarbamoyl]-3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinoline-2-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (55): To solution of 1-(2-allyl-4-benzyloxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-2-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propan-1-one, 54, (1.4 mmol) is dissolved in DMF (10 mL) are added N-Boc-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (0.47 g, 1.5 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.43 g, 2.8 mmol), N-methylmorpholine (0.84 g, 8.3 mmol) and 1-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (0.32 g, 1.7 mmol) at 0° C. The reaction mixture is stirred at 0° C. for 1 hour and then warmed to room temperature and stirred an additional 15 hour. The reaction is quenched with saturated NH₄Cl solution and then extracted 3 times with EtOAc (70 mL). The organic layers are combined, washed with saturated NaCl solution, dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent is removed in vacuo. The crude product is purified over silica to afford 0.69 g (77% yield) of the desired product as a white solid. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, MeOD, Rotamers) δ 6.90-7.41 (m, 13H), 5.55-5.81 (m, 1H), 4.32-5.12 (m, 8H), 3.94-4.18 (m, 2H), 2.75-3.89 (m, 6H), 2.39-2.64 (m, 1H), 1.78-2.29 (m, 2H), 1.20-1.64 (m, 10H); MS (ESMS) m/z 642.2 (M+H)⁺.

Preparation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid [2-(2-allyl-4-benzyloxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-1-(4-fluor-benzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide (56): 3-[2-(2-Allyl-4-benzyloxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethylcarbamoyl]-3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinoline-2-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, 55, (200 mg) is dissolved into CH₂Cl₂ (3 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (1 mL) is added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 5 hours and concentrated. The residue is purified by reverse phase HPLC to afford 50 mg of the desired product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) δ 6.80˜7.50 (m, 13H), 5.75 (m, 1H), 5.06 (m, 2H), 4.30˜4.70 (m, 6H), 4.06 (m, 2H), 3.75 (m, 1H), 2.90˜3.30 (m, 6H), 2.69 (m, 1H), 2.23 (m, 1H), 1.80˜2.00 (m, 2H); MS (ES-MS) m/z 542 (M+1).

Category V melanocortin receptor ligands according to the present invention comprise the 2-oxo-3-hydrocarbyl-piperazines having the general scaffold with the formula:

wherein R¹ comprises a substituted alkyl unit. The first aspect of Category V comprises the 2-oxo-3-hydrocarbyl-piperazines having the formula:

wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl unit as described herein above and non-limiting examples of R¹, R^(7a) and R⁸ are provided herein below in Table XV. TABLE XV No. R¹ R^(7a) R⁸ 1265 methoxymethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1266 methoxyethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1267 methoxypropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1268 ethoxymethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1269 ethoxyethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1270 ethoxypropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1271 propoxymethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1272 propoxyethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1273 propoxypropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1274 iso- —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl propoxymethyl 1275 iso-propoxyethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1276 iso- —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl propoxypropyl 1277 methoxymethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1278 methoxyethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1279 methoxypropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1280 ethoxymethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1281 ethoxyethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1282 ethoxypropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1283 propoxymethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1284 propoxyethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1285 propoxypropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1286 iso- —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl propoxymethyl 1287 iso-propoxymethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1288 iso- —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl propoxypropyl 1289 methoxymethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1290 methoxyethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1291 methoxypropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1292 ethoxymethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1293 ethoxyethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1294 ethoxypropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1295 propoxymethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1296 propoxyethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1297 propoxypropyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1298 iso- —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- propoxymethyl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1299 iso-propoxyethyl —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1300 iso- —C(O)NHCH₃ (2,4- propoxypropyl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1301 methoxymethyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1302 methoxyethyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1303 methoxypropyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1304 ethoxymethyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1305 ethoxyethyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1306 ethoxypropyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1307 propoxymethyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1308 propoxyethyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1309 propoxypropyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1310 iso- —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl propoxymethyl 1311 iso-propoxyethyl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1312 iso- —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl propoxypropyl 1313 methoxymethyl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1314 methoxyethyl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1315 methoxypropyl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1316 ethoxymethyl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1317 ethoxyethyl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1318 ethoxypropyl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1319 propoxymethyl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1320 propoxyethyl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1321 propoxypropyl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1322 iso- —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl propoxymethyl 1323 iso-propoxyethyl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1324 iso- —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl propoxypropyl 1325 methoxymethyl —C(O)NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1326 methoxyethyl —C(O)NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1327 methoxypropyl —C(O)NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1328 ethoxymethyl —C(O)NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1329 ethoxyethyl —C(O)NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1330 ethoxypropyl —C(O)NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1331 propoxymethyl —C(O)NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1332 propoxyethyl —C(O)NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1333 propoxypropyl —C(O)NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1334 iso- —C(O)NH₂ (2,4- propoxymethyl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1335 iso-propoxyethyl —C(O)NH₂ (2,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1336 iso- —C(O)NH₂ (2,4- propoxypropyl dichlorophenyl)methyl

The compounds of the first aspect of Category V can be suitably prepared by the procedure outlined herein below in Scheme XVII.

EXAMPLE 17 2-{4-[2-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide (66)

Preparation of 2-(2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-methoxy-propionylamino)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (57): Naphthylen-2-ylacetic acid methyl ester HCl (3.3 g, 12.5 mmol), 3-methoxy-2-N-Boc-aminopropionic acid (2.7 g, 12.5 mmol) and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (3.4 g, 25.0 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (2.8 g, 15.0 mmol) are dissolved in anhydrous DMF (10 mL). This reaction mixture is cooled to 0° C., then N-methylmorpholine (4.1 mL, 37.5 mmol) is added. This reaction mixture is placed in the refrigerator overnight. EtOAc (75 mL) and water (500 mL) are added, and the organic layer is separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (2×75 mL). The organic layers are combined and washed with water (100 mL), and dried over Na₂SO₄. The solution is concentrated in vacuo to afford 5.2 g (97% yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (3000 MHz, CDCl₃, δ): 7.84-7.72 (m, 3H), 7.60 (s,1H), 7.50-7.40 (m, 2H), 7.28-7.20 (m, 1H), 5.40 (br s, 1H), 4.94 (quartet, 9.0 Hz, 1H), 4.24 (br s, 1H), 3.80(m, 1H), 3.72 (s, 3H), 3.42 (m, 1H), 3.30 (m, 1H), 3.24 (s, 3H), 1.41 (s, 9H); ¹³C NMR, δ 171.8, 170.4, 155.3, 133.7, 133.6, 132.7, 128.4, 127.9, 127.7, 126.4, 126.0, 80.3, 72.2, 59.1, 54.0, 53.6, 52.6, 38.1, 28.5.

Preparation of 2-(2-amino-3-methoxy-propionylamino)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester HCl (58): 2-(2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-methoxy-propionylamino)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 57, (5.2 g, 12.1 mmol) is dissolved in 4M hydrogen chloride in dioxane (40 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. 1,2-Dichloroethane (40 mL) is added. The solution is concentrated in vacuo to afford 4.43 g (quantitative yield) of the desired product.

Preparation of 2-[3-methoxy-2-(2-nitro-benzenesulfonylamino)-propionylamino]-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (59): 2-(2-Amino-3-methoxy-propionylamino)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 58, (4.43 g, 12.1 mmol) and 2-nitrobenzene sulfonyl chloride (2.8 g, 12.7 mmol) are dissolved in any THF (20 mL). The mixture is cooled to 0° C. and triethyl amine (5 mL) is added to the reaction mixture which is then allowed to stir overnight at room temperature. Water (100 mL) is added and the reaction mixture pH adjusted to 3 with 1M KHSO₄. The solution is extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL) and the organic layers are combined and dried over Na₂SO₄. The solvent is removed in vacuo to afford 6.4 g (quantitative yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃, δ): 8.02 (m, 1H), 7.8 (m, 4H), 7.60 (m, 3H), 7.48 (m, 2H), 7.33 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.20 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 6.58 (d, J=6.25 Hz, 1H), 4.57 (quartet, J=6.25 Hz, 1H), 4.02 (quartet, J=6.25 Hz, 1H), 3.70 (s, 3H), 3.47 (m, 2H), 3.44 (m, 2H), 3.49 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR, δ 171.5, 168.7, 147.9, 134.2, 133.6, 133.5, 133.2, 132.7, 131.0, 128.4, 128.3, 127.9, 127.5, 126.5, 126.1, 125.9, 72.3, 59.1, 56.6, 53.8, 52.7, 38.0.

Preparation of 2-[3-methoxymethyl-4(2-nitro-benzenesulfonyl)-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl]-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (60): 1,2-Dibromoethane (11 mL, 125 mmol) and K₂CO₃ (15.5 g, 112.3 mmol) are added to a 2-[3-methoxy-2-(2-nitro-benzenesulfonylamino)-propionylamino]-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 59, (6.4 g, 12.4 mmol) solution in anhydrous DMF (30 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred at 60° C. overnight. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and the pH is adjusted to 3 with 1M KHSO₄. The solution is extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL) and the organic layers are combined and dried over Na₂SO₄. The solvent is removed in vacuo to afford 5.6 g (85% yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃, δ): 7.89 (m, 1H), 7.70 (m, 3H), 7.57 (m, 3H), 7.47 (m, 1H), 7.41 (m, 2H), 7.30 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 5.39 (m, 1H), 4.37 (s, 3H), 3.62 (m, 4H), 3.46 (m, 2H), 3.35 (m, 1H), 3.20 (m, 2H), 3.13 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR, δ 170.4, 165.7, 156.5, 147.9, 134.2, 134.1, 133.6, 133.4, 132.6, 132.4, 130.8, 128.4, 127.8, 127.7, 127.2, 126.4, 126.0, 124.6, 74.1, 65.0, 58.9, 58.1, 52.7, 44.3, 41.8, 34.3.

Preparation of 2-[3-methoxymethyl-4-(2-nitro-benzenesulfonyl)-piperazine-1-yl]-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (61): To a solution of 2-[3-methoxymethyl-4(2-nitro-benzenesulfonyl)-2-oxo-piperazin-1-yl]-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 60, (5.6 g, 10.4 mmol) in anhydrous THF (10 mL) is added 1.0M borane-tetrahydrofuran complex (31.2 mL) at −20° C. The reaction mixture is stirred at this temperature overnight. Methanol (3 mL) is added to the reaction mixture at −20° C. and allowed to stir for twenty minutes. Additional methanol (6 mL) is and the reaction mixture is allowed to warm to the room temperature. The solvent is removed in vacuo and the product purified over silica (EtOAc/Hexane, 1:1) to afford 3.5 g (64% yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, δ): 8.05 (m, 1H), 7.75 (m,3H), 7.62 (m, 4H), 7.50 (m, 2H), 7.30 (dd, J=8.4, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 3.94 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 1H), 3.66 (s, 3H), 3.58 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 1H), 3.30-2.95 (m, 7H), 2.82 (s, 3H), 2.79 (m, 2H), 2.40 (dt, J=12.7, 4.3 Hz, 1H); ¹³C NMR, δ 171.8, 148.0, 136.0, 134.1, 133.7, 132.4, 132.0, 131.5, 128.1, 127.9, 127.7, 126.3, 125.8, 124.5, 69.5, 68.7, 58.7, 53.8, 52.8, 51.6, 46.6, 42.8, 35.4.

Preparation of 2-(3-methoxymethyl-piperazine-1yl)-3-naphthalen2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (62): To a solution of 2-[3-methoxymethyl-4-(2-nitro-benzenesulfonyl)-piperazine-1-yl]-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 61, (3.5 g, 6.67 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (40 mL) is added potassium carbonate (5.5 g, 40.0 mmol) and 4-mercaptophenol (2.5 g, 20.0 mmol). The reaction mixture is stirred for six hours at room temperature, then cooled in a ice bath and pH is adjusted to 3 with 1M HCl. The reaction mixture is extracted with Et₂O (4×100 mL). All organic layers are combined and extracted with 1M HCl (100 mL). All aqueous layers are combined and cooled in a ice bath and the pH is adjusted to 10 with K₂CO₃. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (4×125 mL) and dried over Na₂SO₄. The solvent is removed in vacuo to afford 2.2 g (97% yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 8): 7.85-7.78 (m, 3H), 7.65 (s, 1H), 7.54-7.40 (m, 2H), 7.35 (dd, J=7.2, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 3.59 (s, 3H), 3.56 (dd, J=6.0, 2.5 Hz, 1H), 3.40-3.10 (m, 5H), 3.38 (s, 3H), 3.05-2.78 (m, 5H), 2.59 (dt, J=7.2, 2.5 Hz, 1H), 2.20 (t, J=10.8 Hz, 1H); ¹³C NMR, δ 171.8, 135.9, 133.7, 132.5, 128.2, 127.9, 127.8, 126.2, 125.7, 74.8, 69.9, 59.4, 55.2, 52.3, 51.4, 50.8, 45.6, 35.8.

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazine-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester (63): 2-(3-Methoxymethyl-piperazine-1yl)-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 62, (2.2 g, 6.4 mmol) and N-Boc-(4-flouro)phenylalanine (1.9 g, 6.8 mmol) and O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (4.9 g, 12.9 mmol) are dissolved in anhydrous DMF (20 mL). This reaction mixture is cooled to 0° C. then N-methylmorpholine (0.75 mL, 6.8 mmol) is added. This reaction mixture is placed in a refrigerator overnight. EtOAc (75 mL) and water (300 mL) are added, and the organic layer is separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×150 mL). All organic layers are combined and washed with water (100 mL), and dried over Na₂SO₄. The solution is concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified over silica (EtOAc/Hexane, 1:1) to afford 3.6 g (92% yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, δ): 7.72-7.58 (m, 3H), 7.44 (s, 1H), 7.40-7.22 (m, 2H), 7.15 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.10-6.98 (m, 2H), 6.82 (t, J=8.2 Hz, 2H), 5.88-5.64 (m, 1H), 4.82-4.50 (m, 1.5H), 4.18 (d, J=12.3 Hz, 0.5H), 3.58-3.44 (m, 3H), 3.42-3.30 (m, 1.5H), 3.08-3.72 (m,10H), 2.68-2.45 (m, 2H), 2.40-2.18 (m, 1H), 1.70 (d, J=12.3 Hz, 0.5H), 1.35-1.25 (m, 1H), 1.30 (s, 9H); ¹³C NMR, δ 171.8, 171.4, 170.4, 163.9, 160.2, 153.0, 152.8, 136.0, 133.6, 132.6, 132.3, 131.4, 127.9, 127.7, 127.5, 126.2, 125.6, 115.5, 115.2, 115.1, 115.0, 79.5, 79.2, 69.6, 68.9, 68.3, 68.1, 60.3, 58.6, 58.3, 53.7, 52.0, 51.2, 48.8, 46.5, 45.6, 42.3, 40.0, 38.7, 35.3, 28.4.

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazine-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid (64): LiOH (0.71 g, 29.7 mmol) is added to the cold solution of 2-{4-[2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazine-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid methyl ester, 63, (3.6 g, 5.9 mmol) in THF/H₂O (2/1, 60 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred for overnight. The reaction mixture is cooled in ice bath and pH is adjusted to 3 with 1M HCl. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL) and dried over Na₂SO₄. The solution is concentrated in vacuo to afford 3.7 g 100% yield) of the desired product.

Preparation of {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-[2-methoxymethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2oxo-ethyl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (65): To a cold solution of 2-{4-[2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazine-1-yl}-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionic acid, 64, (2.7 g, 4.3 mmol) and PyBOP (2.9 g, 5.6 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (15 mL) is added 2M methyl amine solution in THF (4.4 mL, 8.8 mmol) and triethyl amine (1.5 mL, 10.7 mmol). The reaction mixture is placed in a refrigerator overnight. EtOAc (50 mL) and water (200 mL) are added, and the organic layer is separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). All organic layers are combined and washed with brine (100 mL), and dried over Na₂SO₄. The solution is concentrated in vacuo to afford 2.6 g (100% yield) of the desired product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, δ): 7.62-7.50 (m, 3H), 7.45 (s, 1H), 7.35-7.12 (m, 3H), 7.05-6.92 (m, 2H), 6.82-6.70 (m, 2H), 5.45 (dd, J=20.5, 8.2 Hz, 0.5H), 4.75-4.45 (m, 1H), 4.05 (d, J=12.3 Hz, 0.5H), 3.5-3.20 (m, 1H), 3.20-3.08 (m, 1H), 3.08-2.98 (m, 1H), 2.92 (s, 8H), 2.84-2.64 (m, 2H), 2.55 (br s, 2H), 2.40-1.85 (m, 1H), 1.6 (s, 7H), 1.22 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 7H); ° C. NMR, δ 171.6, 171.4, 171.2, 170.2, 163.5, 160.3, 154.9, 137.3, 137.2, 132.6, 132.3, 132.1, 131.2, 127.6, 127.5, 126.0, 125.4, 115.4, 115.1, 114.9, 79.5, 79.3, 70.2, 69.6, 69.3, 58.9, 58.8, 53.3, 51.2, 49.8, 49.6, 48.7, 48.3, 46.3, 42.9, 39.8, 38.9, 38.6, 33.6, 28.3, 26.5, 26.4, 25.8, 25.7.

Preparation of 2-{4-[2-amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide HCl (66): {1-(4-Fluoro-benzyl)₂-[2-methoxymethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2oxo-ethyl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester, 65, is dissolved in 4M HCl in dioxane (60 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred for 90 minutes then 1,2-dichloroethane (60 mL) is added. The solution is concentrated in vacuo to afford 3.6 g (98% yield) of the desired product.

The following are non-limiting examples of analogs which comprise the first aspect of Category V of the present invention.

2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.33-7.09 (m, 8H), 4.77-4.20 (m, 2H), 3.58-3.38 (m, 3H), 3.30 (s, 3H), 3.25-2.70 (m, 9H), 2.67, 2.64 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.20-1.65 (m, 1H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 173.0, 172.5, 170.3, 169.0, 165.9, 162.6, 162.2, 161.7, 138.8, 138.0, 134.0, 133.7, 133.3, 133.2, 132.3, 131.8, 131.5, 129.9, 129.8, 117.5, 117.3, 117.2, 117.1, 71.9, 71.0, 59.9, 59.7, 55.3, 52.6, 52.4, 43.6, 40.1, 38.6, 37.9, 35.3, 26.3; MS m/z (ESI): 491 (M+H, 100), 493 (M+2+H, 37).

-   2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide; -   2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide; -   2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide; -   2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide; -   2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide; -   2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide; -   2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide; -   2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide; -   2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide; -   2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(2-fluorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide; -   2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(3-fluorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide; -   2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(2-fluorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide; -   2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide;     and -   2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide.

The second aspect of Category V relates to compounds having the formula:

the first iteration of which relates to W units having the formula —NHC(O)Q wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl unit as described herein above and non-limiting examples of R¹, R^(7a), R⁸ and Q are provided herein below in Table XVI. TABLE XVI No. R¹ Q R^(7a) R⁸ 300 methoxymethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 301 ethoxymethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 302 propoxymethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 303 methoxyethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 1337 ethoxyethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 1338 methoxypropyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 1339 ethoxypropyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 1340 methoxymethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1341 ethoxymethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1342 propoxymethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1343 methoxyethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1344 ethoxyethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1345 methoxypropyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1346 ethoxypropyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1347 methoxymethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 1348 ethoxymethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 1349 propoxymethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 1350 methoxyethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 1351 ethoxyethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 1352 methoxypropyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 1353 ethoxypropyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 1354 methoxymethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1555 ethoxymethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1356 propoxymethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1357 methoxyethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1358 ethoxyethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1359 methoxypropyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1360 ethoxypropyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1361 methoxymethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1362 ethoxymethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1363 propoxymethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1364 methoxyethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1365 ethoxyethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1366 methoxypropyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1367 ethoxypropyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1368 methoxymethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1369 ethoxymethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1370 propoxymethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1371 methoxyethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1372 ethoxyethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1373 methoxypropyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1374 ethoxypropyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1375 methoxymethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1376 ethoxymethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1377 propoxymethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1378 methoxyethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1379 ethoxyethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1380 methoxypropyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1381 ethoxypropyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1382 methoxymethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1383 ethoxymethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1384 propoxymethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1385 methoxyethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1386 ethoxyethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1387 methoxypropyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1388 ethoxypropyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1389 methoxymethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1390 ethoxymethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1391 propoxymethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1392 methoxyethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1393 ethoxyethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1394 methoxypropyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1395 ethoxypropyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NH₂ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1396 methoxymethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 1397 ethoxymethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 1398 propoxymethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 1399 methoxyethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 1400 ethoxyethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 1401 methoxypropyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 1402 ethoxypropyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 5-yl 1403 methoxymethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1404 ethoxymethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1405 propoxymethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1406 methoxyethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1407 ethoxyethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1408 methoxypropyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1409 ethoxypropyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- 5-yl dichlorophenyl)methyl 1410 methoxymethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 1411 ethoxymethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 1412 propoxymethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 1413 methoxyethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 1414 ethoxyethyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 1415 methoxypropyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 1416 ethoxypropyl 2-aminopyrrolidin- —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 5-yl 1417 methoxymethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1418 ethoxymethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1419 propoxymethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1420 methoxyethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1421 ethoxyethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1422 methoxypropyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1423 ethoxypropyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1424 methoxymethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1425 ethoxymethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1426 propoxymethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1427 methoxyethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1428 ethoxyethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1429 methoxypropyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1430 ethoxypropyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1431 methoxymethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1432 ethoxymethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1433 propoxymethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1434 methoxyethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1435 ethoxyethyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1436 methoxypropyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1437 ethoxypropyl THQ-3-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1438 methoxymethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1439 ethoxymethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1440 propoxymethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1441 methoxyethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1442 ethoxyethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1443 methoxypropyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1444 ethoxypropyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ naphthylen-2-ylmethyl 1445 methoxymethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1446 ethoxymethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1447 propoxymethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1448 methoxyethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1449 ethoxyethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1450 methoxypropyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1451 ethoxypropyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (3,4- dichlorophenyl)methyl 1452 methoxymethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1453 ethoxymethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1454 propoxymethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1455 methoxyethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1456 ethoxyethyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1457 methoxypropyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl 1458 ethoxypropyl pyrrolidin-2-yl —C(O)NHCH₃ (4-chlorophenyl)methyl

The compounds of the second aspect of Category V can be suitably prepared by the procedure outlined herein below in Scheme XVIII beginning with compounds which comprises the first aspect of this Category, for example, compound 66.

EXAMPLE 18 Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluoro-benzyl)-2-[2-methoxymethyl-4-(1-methyl carbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide (68)

Preparation of 2-{1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-[2-methoxymethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethylcarbamoyl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (67): 2-{4-[2-Amino-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide HCl, 66, (0.36 g, 0.55 mmol) and BOC-L-Proline (0.13 g, 0.6 mmol) 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (0.2 g, 1.1 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.1 g, 0.7 mmol) are dissolved in anhydrous DMF (1.5 mL). The reaction mixture is cooled to 0° C., then N-methylmorpholine (0.5 mL, 4.1 mmol) is added. The reaction mixture is placed in a refrigerator overnight. EtOAc (25 mL) and water (75 mL) are added, and the organic layer is separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×30 mL). All organic layers are combined and washed with water (2×50 mL), and dried over Na₂SO₄. The solvent is removed in vacuo to afford 0.39 g of the desired product.

Preparation of pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-[2-methoxy-methyl-4-(1-methyl carbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide (68): Crude 2-{1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-[2-methoxymethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethylcarbamoyl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, 67, is dissolved in 4M hydrogen chloride in dioxane (10 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. 1,2-dichloroethane (10 mL) is added. Removal of solvents in vacuo gives the crude hydrogen chloride salt of product which is then purified by preparative HPLC to afford 0.22 g (54% yield) of the desired product as the trifluoroacetate salt. A small amount of product is converted into free base by treating with NaHCO₃ to obtain NMR spectra. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, δ): 7.80-7.60 (m, 4H), 7.45-7.25 (m, 3H), 7.18-7.00 (m, 2H), 7.00-6.85 (m, 2H), 6.32-6.28 (m, 0.5H), 5.08-4.92 (m, 1H), 4.78-4.69 (0.5H), 4.10 (d, J=13.0 Hz, 0.5H), 3.70-3.58 (m, 1H), 3.58-3.15 (m, 8H), 2.98-2.46 (m, 11H), 2.28-2.15 (m, 0.5H), 2.15-1.50 (m, 8H). HRFAB(positive) m/e 604.3299 calculated for C₃₄H₄₂FN₅O₄ (M+H)⁺, Found 604.3292.

The following are non-limiting examples of other compounds according to the various aspects of Category V.

1-Amino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-methoxymethyl-piperazine-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, δ): 7.47-7.41 (m, 2H), 7.28-7.25 (m, 2H), 7.16-7.12 (m, 1H), 7.08-7.02 (m, 2H), 5.11 (t, J=15.0 Hz, 1H), 4.63 (br s, 0.5H), 4.25 (d, J=13.5 Hz, 0.5H), 3.95 (d, J=12.9 Hz, 0.5H0, 3.74-3.66 (m, 0.5H), 3.58 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 0.5H), 3.47-3.40 (m, 0.5H), 3.38-3.30 (m, 1H), 3.32 (s, 3H), 3.26-3.17 (m, 4H), 3.02-2.89 (m, 6.5H), 2.80-2.68 (m, 4H), 2.53-2.46 (m, 1H), 2.12 (t, J=11.1 Hz, 0.5H), 1.70-1.51 (m, 2H), 1.46-1.31 (m, 3H). HRFAB(positive) m/e 608.220664 calculated for C₂₉H₃₆Cl₂FN₅O₄ (M+H)⁺, Found 608.218817.

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid[2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]amide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, δ): 7.46-7.42 (m,2H), 7.32-7.26 (m, 2H), 7.17-7.14 (m, 1H), 7.09-7.04 (m, 2H), 5.17 (t, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 4.65 (br s, 0.5H), 4.27-4.23 (m, 2H), 4.0 (m, 0.5H), 3.80 (bs, 0.5H), 3.57 (t, J=9.3 Hz, 0.5H), 3.45-3.20 (m, 10H), 3.09-2.89 (m, 6H), 2.78-2.68 (m, 3H), 2.52-2.28 (m, 2H), 2.20-1.72 (m, 4H); HRFAB(positive) m/e 622.236314 calculated for C₃₀H₃₈Cl₂FN₅O₄ (M+H)⁺, Found 622.234445

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxy-methylpiperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2yl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, δ): 8.08 (t, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 7.74-7.64 (m, 3H), 7.40-7.25 (m, 3H), 7.10-7.04 (m, 2H), 6.95-6.88 (m, 2H), 4.98 (quartet, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 4.84 (quartet, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 4.68-4.58 (m, 1H), 4.18-4.12 (m, 1H), 3.65-3.55 (m, 1H), 3.46-3.30 (m, 4H), 3.28-3.20 (m, 3H), 2.95-2.70 (m, 5H), 2.78-2.60 (m, 5H), 2.58-2.45 (m, 2H), 2.20-2.02 (m, 2H), 1.65 (dd, J=10.6, 3.99 Hz, 1H), 1.25-1.22 (m, 4H); HRFAB(positive) m/e 592.3299 calculated for C₃₃H₄₂FN₅O₄ (M+H)⁺, Found 592.3354.

{1-(4-Fluorobenzyl)-2-[2-methoxymethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-carbamic acid methyl ester: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, δ): 7.75-−7.6 (m, 3H), 7.58 (s, 1H), 7.50-7.42 (m, 2H), 7.42-7.38 (m, 1H), 7.08-7.00 (m, 2H), 6.90-6.82 (m, 2H), 5.55 (t, J=8.2 Hz, 0.5H), 4.82-4.68 (m, 1H), 4.62-4.55 (m, 0.5H), 4.15 (d, J=13.0 Hz, 0.5H), 3.58 (s, 2H), 3.52 (m, 2H), 3.43-3.28 (m, 3H), 3.28-3.20 (m, 3H), 3.15 (2H), 2.98-2.72 (m, 4H), 2.72-2.58 (m, 4H), 2.58-2.42 (m, 1H), 2.32-2.20 (m, 0.5H), 2.12-2.00 (m, 0.5H), 1.60 (dd, J=13.0, 2.6 Hz, 0.5H); HRFAB(positive) m/e 565.2826 calculated for C₃₁H₃₇FN₄O₅ (M+H)⁺, Found 565.2806; Elemental Analysis: calculated for C₃₁H₃₇FN₄O₅. (1.23 TFA) (MW. 704.57): C, 57.01%; H, 5.47%; N, 7.95%. Found: C, 57.03%; H, 5.33%; N, 7.97%.

2-{4-[3-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propionylamino)-propionyl]-3-methoxy methyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propionamide. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, δ): 8.08-7.95 (m, 3H), 7.88 (d, J=9.4 Hz, 1H), 7.70-7.60 (m, 2H), 7.52 (d, J=9.4 Hz, 1H), 7.48-7.38 (m, 2H), 7.21 (t, J=4.7 Hz, 2H_), 5.28-5.18 (m, 1H), 5.15-4.98 (m, 2H), 5.02 (s, 3H), 4.55 (d, J=9.4 Hz, 0.5H), 4.28 (d, J=9.4 Hz, 0.5H), 4.15-4.05 (m, 1H), 3.92-3.05 (m, 12.5H), 2.85-2.62 (m, 3H), 2.20 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 0.5H), 2.02-1.95 (m, 1H), 1.52-1.40 (m, 5H); HRFAB(positive) m/e 593.3139 calculated for C₃₃H₄₁FN₄O₅ (M+H)⁺, Found 593.3157; Elemental Analysis: calculated for C₃₃H₄₁FN₄O₅. (1.28 TFA) (MW. 738.51): C 57.83%, H 5.77%, N 7.59%, Found: C 57.83%, H 5.70%, N 7.77%.

{1-(4-Fluoro-benzyl)-2-[2-methoxymethyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-carbamic acid ethyl ester. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, δ): 7.72-7.64 (m, 3H), 7.5 (s, 1H), 7.36-7.30 (m, 2H), 7.30-7.26 (m, 1H), 7.06-7.02 (m, 2H), 6.90-6.72 (dt, J=9.8, 2.6 Hz, 2H), 6.33(s, 0.5H), 5.50-5.45 (m, 1H), 5.25 (s, 3H), 4.82-4.60 (m, 1.5H), 4.20-3.98 (m, 2H), 3.58-3.49 (m, 1H), 3.48-3.35 (m, 6H), 3.30-3.18 (m, 4H), 2.96-2.84 (m, 3H), 2.75-2.62 (m, 3.5H), 2.58-2.44 (m, 1H), 2.28-2.20 (m, 0.5H), 2.12-1.98 (m, 0.5H), 1.59 (d, J=9.8 Hz, 0.5H); HRFAB(positive) m/e 579.2982 calculated for C₃₂H₃₉FN₄O₅ (M+H)⁺, Found 579.2980; Elemental Analysis: calculated for C₃₂H₃₉FN₄O₅. (0.95 TFA) (MW. 686.61): C. 59.29%, H 5.86%, N 8.16%, Found: C 59.29%, H 5.98%, N 8.14%.

2-{4-[2-(2-Amino-2-methyl-propionylamino)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.55-7.42 (m, 6H), 7.29 (m, 2H), 5.34 (t, 1H, J=7.6 Hz), 5.00-4.60 (m, 1H), 4.35-4.13 (m, 1H), 3.93-3.82 (m, 1H), 3.65 (m, 2H), 3.52, 3.50 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃OCH₂, rotamers), 3.45-3.05 (m, 8H), 2.89, 2.85 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.68-2.16 (m, 1H), 1.79, 1.74, 1.69 (3 singlets, 6H, NH₂C(CH₃)₂C(O), rotamers); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 173.2, 173.0, 172.5, 171.9, 171.3, 165.5, 162.4, 162.2, 161.9, 137.8, 137.0, 134.3, 134.1, 134.0, 133.0, 132.9, 132.8, 132.4, 130.1, 129.9, 119.9, 117.0, 116.8, 116.5, 72.7, 72.1, 70.0, 59.8, 59.7, 58.5, 54.4, 52.6, 52.4, 52.0, 50.8, 43.4, 39.8, 39.2, 38.0, 35.1, 35.0, 26.4, 24.6, 24.3; MS m/z (ESI): 576 (M+H, 100), 578 (M+2+H, 37).

Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluoro-benzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.55-7.43 (m, 6H), 7.29 (m, 2H), 5.39 (t, 1H, J=7.7 Hz), 5.06-4.58 (m, 1H), 4.48 (t, 1H, J=7.2 Hz), 4.40-4.22 (m, 1H), 3.94-3.82 (m, 2H), 3.67 (m, 2H), 3.54, 3.51 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃OCH₂, rotamers), 3.49 (m, 2H), 3.24 (m, 6H), 2.90, 2.86 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.73-2.56 (m, 2H), 2.27-2.01 (m, 4H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 172.5, 171.8, 171.7, 169.4, 169.1, 164.4, 162.8, 162.0, 137.9, 137.0, 134.0, 133.7, 132.7, 132.6, 132.2, 132.1, 129.8, 129.6, 116.7, 116.5, 116.4, 116.3, 72.3, 71.7, 70.7, 61.1, 59.6, 59.5, 54.4, 52.1, 52.0, 51.9, 51.8, 50.5, 50.0, 47.5, 43.3, 39.6, 39.3, 38.2, 34.8, 31.4, 31.3, 26.2, 26.1 25.1, 25.0; MS m/z (ESI): 588 (M+H, 100), 590(M+2+H, 37).

1-Amino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-carbamoyl-ethyl]-2-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluoro-benzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.41-7.26 (m, 6H), 7.17 (m, 2H), 5.18 (t, 1H, J=7.8 Hz), 4.83-4.38 (m, 1H), 4.18-3.93 (m, 1H), 3.72 (m, 1H), 3.45 (m, 2H), 3.36, 3.35 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃OCH₂, rotamers), 3.24-2.89 (m, 8H), 2.75, 2.72 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.45-1.95 (m, 1H), 1.74-1.43 (m, 4H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 173.0, 172.4, 172.2, 171.6, 171.0, 170.5, 165.5, 162.4, 162.2, 138.3, 137.4, 134.2, 132.9, 132.8, 132.7, 132.4, 130.0, 129.9, 117.1, 116.8, 116.5, 72.4, 71.7, 71.0, 59.8, 59.7, 54.7, 52.5, 52.4, 52.0, 50.6, 43.6, 40.1, 39.1, 37.9, 36.7, 35.1, 26.4, 13.9, 13.8; MS m/z (ESI): 574 (M+H, 100), 576 (M+2+H, 37).

1-Methylamino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-carbamoyl-ethyl]-2-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluoro-benzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.46-7.31 (m, 6H), 7.19 (dd, 2H, J=15.6, 7.0 Hz), 5.26 (m, 1H), 4.86-4.42 (m, 1H), 4.18-3.98 (m, 1H), 3.73 (m, 2H), 3.41, 3.40 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃OCH₂, rotamers), 3.21-3.07 (m, 8H), 2.87 (m, 1H), 2.84, 2.83 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.80, 2.78 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(CH₂—CH₂)C(O), rotamers), 2.43-1.97 (m, 1H), 1.80-1.61 (m, 4H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 172.9, 172.3, 172.1, 171.4, 169.8, 165.5, 162.2, 138.3, 137.4, 134.2, 133.0, 132.9, 132.7, 132.4, 130.0, 129.9, 117.0, 116.8, 116.5, 113.6, 72.5, 71.8, 71.0, 59.7, 54.7, 52.4, 52.0, 50.7, 44.1, 43.6, 40.1, 39.1, 37.9, 35.1, 33.2, 26.4, 13.7; MS m/z (ESI): 588 (M+H, 100), 590 (M+2+H, 37).

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-{4-[3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methylamino-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-methyl-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.32-7.08 (m, 8H), 4.65 (m, 1H), 4.27 (m, 1H), 3.57 (m, 2H), 3.26 (s, 3H), 3.25-2.84 (m, 8H), 2.69, 2.68 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(O), rotamers), 2.64 (s, 3H), 2.44 (m, 1H), 2.09 (m, 1H), 1.31 (m, 1H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 173.0, 169.0, 165.9, 162.7, 139.0, 138.1, 133.6, 133.5, 133.4, 132.3, 131.4, 129.9, 129.7, 117.6, 117.3, 117.1, 71.8, 71.6, 70.9, 60.4, 59.6, 59.4, 55.5, 52.4, 50.7, 43.6, 40.0, 38.3, 37.1, 35.3, 33.1, 32.7, 26.3; MS m/z (ESI): 505 (M+H, 100), 507 (M+2+H, 37.

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2-fluoro-ethyl)-2-{4-[3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methylamino-propionyl]-3-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.40-7.17 (m, 8H), 4.75 (m, 1H), 4.56-4.29 (m, 2H), 3.70-3.26 (m, 8H), 3.38, 3.35 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃OCH₂, rotamers), 3.07-2.92 (m, 4H), 2.77, 2.72 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(4-F-Bn)C(O), rotamers), 2.57 (m, 1H), 2.22 (m, 1H), 1.48 (m, 1H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 172.8, 168.8, 139.0, 133.6, 133.4, 133.3, 132.3, 131.3, 129.8117.6, 117.3, 84.6, 82.4, 71.7, 70.9, 60.5, 59.4, 55.5, 51.8, 43.7, 41.2, 41.0, 40.1, 38.2, 34.7, 33.1; MS m/z (ESI): 537 (M+H, 100), 539 (M+2+H, 37).

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-{4-[3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methylamino-propionyl]-3-methoxy-methyl-piperazin-1-yl}-N-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-propionamide: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 7.42-7.03 (m, 8H), 4.75 (m, 1H), 4.19 (m, 1H), 4.83 (m, 2H), 3.54 (m, 2H), 3.35-3.16 (m, 2H), 3.22, 3.21 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃OCH₂, rotamers), 3.10 (m, 1H), 3.93-2.76 (m, 5H), 2.61, 2.58 (2 singlets, 3H, CH₃NHC(4-F-Bn)C(O), rotamers), 2.38 (m, 1H), 2.11 (m, 1H), 1.30 (m, 1H); ¹³C NMR (CD₃OD, with rotamers) □ 173.5, 168.8, 165.9, 162.7, 138.9, 138.7, 133.6, 133.5, 133.4, 132.3, 131.4, 129.8, 128.0, 124.3, 117.6, 117.3, 117.0, 113.3, 71.6, 71.0, 70.8, 60.4, 59.5, 59.4, 55.4, 52.6, 51.4, 51.2, 43.9, 41.5, 41.0, 40.1, 38.2, 35.1, 34.1, 33.1; MS m/z (ESI): 573 (M+H, 100), 575 (M+2+H, 37).

Formulations

The present invention also relates to compositions or formulations which comprise the melanocortin receptor ligands according to the present invention. In general, the compositions of the present invention comprise:

-   -   a) an effective amount of one or more melanocortin receptor         ligands according to the present invention; and     -   b) one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.

The compositions of this invention are typically provided in unit dosage form. For the purposes of the present invention the term “unit dosage form” is defined herein as comprising an effective amount of one or more melanocortin receptor ligands. The compositions of the present invention contain in one embodiment from about 1 mg to about 750 mg of one or more melanocortin receptor ligands, while in other embodiments the compositions comprise from about 3 mg to about 500 mg, or from about 5 mg to about 300 mg respectively.

For the purposes of the present invention the term “excipient” and “carrier” are used interchangeably throughout the description of the present invention and said terms are defined herein as, “ingredients which are used in the practice of formulating a safe and effective pharmaceutical composition.”

The formulator will understand that excipients are used primarily to serve in delivering a safe, stable, and functional pharmaceutical, serving not only as part of the overall vehicle for delivery but also as a means for achieving effective absorption by the recipient of the active ingredient. An excipient may fill a role as simple and direct as being an inert filler, or an excipient as used herein may be part of a pH stabilizing system or coating to insure delivery of the ingredients safely to the stomach. The formulator can also take advantage of the fact the compounds of the present invention have improved cellular potency, pharmacokinetic properties, as well as improved oral bioavailability.

Non-limiting examples of substances which can serve as pharmaceutically-acceptable excipients or components thereof are sugars, inter alia, lactose, glucose and sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol; starches, inter alia, corn starch and potato starch; cellulose and its derivatives, inter alia, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, and methyl cellulose; powdered tragacanth; malt; gelatin; talc; solid lubricants, such as stearic acid and magnesium stearate; vegetable oils, propylene glycol, glycerin, and polyethylene glycol; agar; alginic acid; wetting agents and lubricants, inter alia, sodium lauryl sulfate; coloring agents; flavoring agents; tableting agents, stabilizers; antioxidants; preservatives; pyrogen-free water; isotonic saline; and buffers.

Standard pharmaceutical formulation techniques are disclosed in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., latest edition and Peptide and Protein Drug Delivery, Marcel Dekker, NY, 1991. Dosage forms useful for making the compositions of the present invention or which are compatible with the methods of use as described herein below are described in the following references, all incorporated by reference herein: Modern Pharmaceutics, Chapters 9 and 10 (Banker & Rhodes, editors, 1979); Lieberman et al., Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets (1981); and Ansel, Introduction to Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms 2d Edition (1976); Standard-Release Injectable Products, ed. J. Senior and M. Radomsk, Interpharm Press; Denver, Co. (2000)

The present invention further relates to forms of the present compounds, which under normal human or higher mammalian physiological conditions, release the compounds described herein. One iteration of this aspect includes the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the analogs described herein. The formulator, for the purposes of compatibility with delivery mode, excipients, and the like, can select one salt form of the present analogs over another since the compounds themselves are the active species which mitigate the disease processes described herein.

Related to this aspect are the various precursor or “pro-drug” forms of the analogs of the present invention. It may be desirable to formulate the compounds of the present invention as a chemical species which itself is not a melanocortin receptor ligand as described herein, but instead are forms of the present analogs which when delivered to the body of a human or higher mammal will undergo a chemical reaction catalyzed by the normal function of the body, inter alia, enzymes present in the stomach, blood serum, said chemical reaction releasing the parent analog. Or alternatively, said “pro-drug” form may cross the blood/brain barrier before undergoing a change which releases the melanocortin receptor ligand in its active form. The term “pro-drug” relates to these species which are converted in vivo to the active pharmaceutical.

Method of Use

The present invention also relates to a method for controlling one or more melanocortin receptor, MC-3 or MC-4, mediated or melanocortin receptor modulated mammalian diseases or conditions, said method comprising the step of administering to a human or higher mammal an effective amount of a composition comprising one or more of the melanocortin receptor ligands according to the present invention.

Because the melanocortin receptor ligands of the present invention can be delivered in a manner wherein more than one site of control can be achieved, more than one disease state can be modulated at the same time. Non-limiting examples of diseases which are affected by an antagonist or agonist which stimulates the MC-3 or MC-4 receptor, obesity and other body weight disorders, inter alia, anorexia and cachexia. Utilizing the melanocortin receptor ligands of the present invention will therefore affect a variety of diseases, disease states, conditions, or syndromes resulting from body weight disorders, inter alia, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, Type-2 diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, elevated blood pressure, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, cancer (e.g., endometrial, cervical, ovarian, breast, prostate, gallbladder, colon), menstrual irregularities, hirsutism, infertility, gallbladder disease, restrictive lung disease, sleep apnea, gout, osteoarthritis, and thromboembolic disease.

MC-3 and MC-4 receptor ligands are also effective in treating disorders relating to behavior, memory (including learning), cardiovascular function, inflammation, sepsis, cardiogenic and hypovolemic shock, sexual dysfunction, penile erection, muscle atrophy, nerve growth and repair, intrauterine fetal growth, and the like.

Although the melanocortin receptor ligands of the present invention are discrete chemical entities, the method of delivery or the method of use may be coupled with other suitable drug delivery systems. For example, a drug delivery technique useful for the compounds of the present invention is the conjugation of the compound to an active molecule capable of being transported through a biological barrier (see e.g. Zlokovic, B. V., Pharmaceutical Research, Vol. 12, pp. 1395-1406 (1995)). A specific example constitutes the coupling of the compound of the invention to fragments of insulin to achieve transport across the blood brain barrier (Fukuta, M., et al. Pharmaceutical Res., Vol. 11, pp. 1681-1688 (1994)). For general reviews of technologies for drug delivery suitable for the compounds of the invention see Zlokovic, B. V., Pharmaceutical Res., Vol. 12, pp. 1395-1406 (1995) and Pardridge, W M, Pharmacol. Toxicol., Vol. 71, pp. 3-10 (1992).

Procedures

Functional activity (in vitro pre-screening) can be evaluated using various methods known in the art. For example, measurement of the second messenger, cAMP, as described in citation (iv) above, evaluation by Cytosensor Microphysiometer techniques (Boyfield et al. 1996), or by using the compounds of the invention alone, or in combination with natural or synthetic MSH-peptides.

The compounds of the present invention will interact preferentially (i.e., selectively) to MC-4 and/or MC-3, relative to the other melanocortin receptors. Selectivity is particularly important when the compounds are administered to humans or other animals, to minimize the number of side effects associated with their administration. MC-3/MC-4 selectivity of a compound is defined herein as the ratio of the EC₅₀ of the compound for an MC-1 receptor (“EC₅₀-MC-1”) over the EC₅₀ of the compound for the MC-3 (EC₅₀-MC-3)/MC-4 (EC₅₀-MC-4) receptor, the EC₅₀ values being measured as described above. The formulas are as follows: MC-3 selectivity=[EC ₅₀-MC-1]/[EC ₅₀-MC-3] MC-4 selectivity=[EC ₅₀-MC-1]/[EC ₅₀-MC-4]

For the purposes of the present invention a receptor ligand (analog) is defined herein as being “selective for the MC-3 receptor” when the above-mentioned ratio “MC-3-selectivity” is at least about 10. In other treatments, methods, or compositions this value is at least about 100, while for yet other embodiments of the present invention the selectivity is at least about 500.

A compound is defined herein as being “selective for the MC-4 receptor” when the above-mentioned ratio “MC-3-selectivity” is at least about 10. In other treatments, methods, or compositions this value is at least about 100, while for yet other embodiments of the present invention the selectivity is at least about 500. 

1. A compound having the formula:

wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidin-2-yl, 4-difluoropyrrolidin-2-yl, 1-aminocycloprop-1-yl, azetidin-2-yl, piperidin-2-yl, piperidin-4-yl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl, thiophen-2-yl, furan-2-yl, pyran-4-yl, isoquinolin-1-yl, tetrahydroisoquinolin-1-yl, tetrahydroisoquinolin-3-yl, and isoquinolin-3-yl; R is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3,5-difluorophenyl, and 4-chlorophenyl; R¹ is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, and ethoxymethyl; R^(7a) is selected from the group consisting of i) hydrogen; ii) —CO₂H; iii) —CO₂CH₃; iv) —CONH₂; v) —CONHCH₃; vi) —CON(CH₃)₂; vii) —CONH(CH₂CH₂F); viii) —CONCH(CH₃)₂; ix) —CONH(C₃H₅); x) —CONHCH₂(C₃H₅); R⁸ is selected from the group consisting of benzyl, (2-chlorophenyl)methyl, (3-chlorophenyl)methyl, (4-chlorophenyl)methyl, (2,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl, (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl, (2-fluorophenyl)-methyl, (3-fluorophenyl)methyl, (4-fluorophenyl)methyl, and naphthalen-2-ylmethyl.
 2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R is 4-fluorophenyl.
 3. A compound according to claim 1 wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidin-2-yl, 4-difluoropyrrolidin-2-yl, 1-aminocycloprop-1-yl, azetidin-2-yl, piperidin-2-yl, piperidin-4-yl, isoquinolin-1-yl, isoquinolin-3-yl, tetrahydroisoquinolin-1-yl, tetrahydroiso-quinolin-3-yl.
 4. A compound according to claim 3 wherein Q is pyrrolidin-2-yl, 4-difluoropyrrolidin-2-yl, or piperidin-2-yl.
 5. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R¹ is methyl, ethyl, methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, or ethoxymethyl.
 6. A compound according to claim 5 wherein R¹ is ethyl or methoxymethyl.
 7. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R^(7a) is —CONH₂; —CONHCH₃; —CONH(C₃H₅); —CONH(CH₂CH₂F); or —CO₂CH₃.
 8. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R⁸ is benzyl, (2-chlorophenyl)methyl, (4-chlorophenyl)methyl, (2,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl, or naphthalen-2-ylmethyl
 9. A compound selected from the group consisting of: 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid [2-[2-cyclopropyl-methyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (1R-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[1-methylcarbamoyl-2S-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-oxo-2S-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-2-oxo-ethyl)-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[1-allylcarbamoyl-2S-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl]-3-oxo-2S-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1R-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2S-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-phenylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-3-oxo-2S-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1R-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2S-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-ethylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-3-oxo-2S-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1 S-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-[4-(1-allylcarbamoyl-2S-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-3-oxo-2S-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-1R-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1R-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-[4S-(2-naphthalen-2-yl-1-phenylcarbamoyl-ethyl)-3-oxo-2S-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-isopropoxy-phenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-2-oxo-ethyl)-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; [2-{4-[2S-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-isopropylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-3-oxo-2S-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1R-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid methyl ester; [2-{4-[2S-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-isopropylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-3-oxo-2S-propyl-piperazin-1-yl)-1R-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid methyl ester; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-[4-(1-ethylcarbamoyl-2S-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-3-oxo-2S-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-1R-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-[2-methyl-4-(1-methylcarbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; and Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2-fluoroethylcarbamoyl)-ethyl]-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide.
 10. A compound selected from the group consisting of: 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; and Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide.
 11. A compound selected from the group consisting of: 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-propyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(2-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluoro-benzyl)-2-[2-methoxymethyl-4-(1-methyl carbamoyl-2-naphthalen-2-yl-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; 1-Amino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-methoxymethyl-piperazine-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid[2-{4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methylcarbamoyl-ethyl]-2-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluoro-benzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; 1-Amino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-carbamoyl-ethyl]-2-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluoro-benzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; 1-Methylamino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [2-{4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-carbamoyl-ethyl]-2-methoxymethyl-piperazin-1-yl}-1-(4-fluoro-benzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-amide; Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(3-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide; and Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid {1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-{4-[2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-ethyl)-3-oxo-2-cyclopropylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-amide.
 12. A compound having the stereochemical formula:

wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidin-2-yl, 4-difluoropyrrolidin-2-yl, 1-aminocycloprop-1-yl, azetidin-2-yl, piperidin-2-yl, piperidin-4-yl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl, thiophen-2-yl, furan-2-yl, pyran-4-yl, isoquinolin-1-yl, tetrahydroisoquinolin-1-yl, tetrahydroisoquinolin-3-yl, and isoquinolin-3-yl; R is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3,5-difluorophenyl, and 4-chlorophenyl; R¹ is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, and ethoxymethyl; R^(7a) is selected from the group consisting of i) hydrogen; ii) —CO₂H; iii) —CO₂CH₃; iv) —CONH₂; v) —CONHCH₃; vi) —CON(CH₃)₂; vii) —CONH(CH₂CH₂F); viii) —CONCH(CH₃)₂; ix) —CONH(C₃H₅); x) —CONHCH₂(C₃H₅); R⁸ is selected from the group consisting of benzyl, (2-chlorophenyl)methyl, (3-chlorophenyl)methyl, (4-chlorophenyl)methyl, (2,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl, (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl, (2-fluorophenyl)-methyl, (3-fluorophenyl)methyl, (4-fluorophenyl)methyl, and naphthalen-2-ylmethyl.
 13. A composition comprising: A) an effective amount of one or more compounds according to claim 1; and B) one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.
 14. A method for controlling obesity in humans and higher mammals, said method comprising the step of administering to a human or higher mammal a compound according to claim
 1. 